What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Several Canadian diplomats posted in New Delhi are on the watch list of Indian security agencies on suspicion of supporting pro-Khalistan activities in India and may soon face action.
As the diplomatic standoff, sparked by Canada’s allegation of Indian role in the murder of a Khalistani leader, continues, security agencies have prepared a list of the officials of the Canadian embassy who are suspected to be involved in anti-India activities.
Among them are the officials who were supportive of the 2020-21 anti-farm law agitation which was infiltrated by Khalistani elements, highly placed sources told The New Indian.
The government of India might consider taking action against such officers in the coming days as well, said sources.
On Tuesday, a senior Canadian diplomat was expelled in a tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat posted at the Indian embassy in Canada.
Already fraught bilateral relations hit rock bottom after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential link between Indian government and killers of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 46, who was shot dead by two unidentified men outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June.
Nijjar, a chief of a separatist group Khalistan Tiger Force (KLF), was wanted by Indian security agencies. The National Investigative agency had also announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest.
During his address in Canadian Parliament, Trudeau accused India of inciting violence in Canada and killing Nijjar. Within hours, Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat working in Canada.
READ MORE: Amid Trudeau’s blame game, India’s Bookmyshow cancels singer Shubh’s tour
India, at the same time, sent a strong rebuttal to the Canadian government, calling the allegations by the Canadian Prime minister “absurd and motivated.”
Canada is home to a large Sikh diaspora, including many Khalistani separatists who have fled India to escape prosecution. India has repeatedly accused Canada of harboring and supporting these separatists.
India has long accused Canada of overlooking its concerns over the issue of harboring Khalistani separatists.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “Allegations of the Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law.”
READ MORE: Khalistani leader threatens Hindus, asks them to leave Canada
The statement added: “Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.”
Meanwhile, the security has also beefed up around the Canadian Embassy in Central Delhi. The barricades were put around the embassy and extra police force has been deployed in the anticipation of protest against the Canadian government.
The Indian staff posted at the Canadian embassy has been asked to leave the premises and the embassy is shut as of now.
