Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa remain strained over Canada's support for the Khalistani separatists and false allegations made by Canada against India over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. (IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK)
The Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the Canadian government after it sent a diplomatic note saying Indian envoys and other Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in an investigation.
The Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian envoy on Monday, a day after it said it had received a diplomatic communication from Canada saying the Indian high commissioner and other diplomats were “persons of interest” in a matter related to an investigation in this country. CNN-News18 has learned.
The Canadian Chargé d'Affaires in India is Stewart Wheeler, who appeared in place of the Canadian envoy. Cameron MacKay, Canada's High Commissioner to India, is not present in the country, CNN-News18 has learnt.
India has strongly rejected Canada's allegations of linking senior Indian diplomats to an ongoing investigation, calling it part of the “political agenda” of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau-led government of Canada.
CDA responds
CDA Wheeler said Ottawa had provided sufficient evidence of links between Indian government agents and Nijjar. He said it was now up to New Delhi to investigate the allegations.
“Canada has provided credible, irrefutable evidence of links between Indian government agents and the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. Now is the time for India to live up to its promises and investigate all these allegations. It is in the interest of both our countries and the people in our countries to get to the bottom of this. Canada is ready to work with India,” he said.
Relations between India and Canada have been strained since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed last year that “Indian agents” were behind the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has consistently rejected the accusation.
On Monday, India criticized Canada, saying it had failed to provide New Delhi with even a “scrap of evidence” and that the allegations were due to Trudeau's “vote bank politics.”