New Delhi, March 2 India categorically rejected allegations of its involvement in transnational violence or organized crime in Canada on Monday, following a recent media report in that country attempting to link Indian officials to the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canadian national security officials were presented with evidence that Indian consular staff operating in Vancouver provided information to assist in Nijjar's assassination, according to The Globe and Mail, citing two unnamed sources.
India has been dismissing Canada's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of the Sikh extremist in 2023.
The Canadian newspaper also named the Indian official while quoting the sources.
The report came on a day when the prime ministers of Canada and India held extensive talks that focused on significantly expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, critical minerals, defense, and security.
Interestingly, a Canadian readout of the talks between the two prime ministers noted that Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that Canada would continue to take measures to combat transnational repression.
"India categorically rejects allegations of involvement in transnational violence or organized crime. These claims are baseless, politically motivated, and lack credible evidence despite repeated requests," said P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, at a media briefing.
He was responding to questions regarding the Canadian media report on the Nijjar killing, as well as Carney's remarks.
"India believes that concerns of this nature must be addressed through credible law enforcement and judicial processes, not through public or politicized narratives," Kumaran said.
He stated that the criminal investigation into the Nijjar case is proceeding according to established legal procedures.
"Once this stage is complete, it will move to the full jury trial stage, etc. Canadians have established legal procedures, and it will proceed according to that procedure. India has consistently maintained its commitment to the judicial process," he said.
"We believe that sensitive matters under judicial consideration are best allowed to proceed through established legal processes without public commentary," Kumaran said.
The Canadian readout stated that the two prime ministers agreed to advance bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement.
"This includes issues of mutual concern to Canada and India, such as the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organized criminal networks," it said.
"Prime Minister Carney also emphasized that Canada would continue to take measures to combat transnational repression," it added.
India-Canada relations have deteriorated significantly following then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in 2023 of a potential Indian link to the killing of Nijjar. India dismissed Trudeau's accusation as "absurd." Nijjar was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.
In October 2024, India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats after Ottawa attempted to link them to the Nijjar case. India also expelled an equal number of Canadian diplomats.
However, Liberal Party leader Carney's victory in the parliamentary election last year helped in initiating the process to reset relations.
Subsequently, both sides have already posted their high commissioners in each other's capitals.