Amit Shah Khalistani Allegations: In a strong rebuttal, India has dismissed claims made by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison, who alleged that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the targeting of Khalistani extremists in Canada.
These remarks, made during a meeting of Canada’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, were called “absurd and baseless” by India. In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned a Canadian diplomat, delivering a formal protest on Friday.
India Summons Canadian Diplomat
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal disclosed that a note was handed over to a representative of the Canadian High Commission, protesting the statements made by Morrison. “These unfounded references to the Union Home Minister of India are categorically false,” Jaiswal stated, emphasizing India’s concerns about what it sees as Canada’s deliberate attempt to malign its reputation globally.
Morrison reportedly confirmed Shah’s involvement to The Washington Post, a claim the MEA denounced as part of a larger strategy to discredit India. Jaiswal warned that “such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” as India perceives these allegations as part of a Canadian agenda aimed at influencing global opinion against it.
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Surveillance Concerns Escalate
The MEA spokesperson also expressed concerns over Canadian authorities allegedly surveilling Indian consular officials. According to Jaiswal, these officials were informed that they had been under audio and video surveillance, a move he described as “a flagrant violation of diplomatic conventions.”
India’s relations with Canada have come under additional strain following reports that Canada included India as an “adversary” in its National Cyber Threat Assessment, alongside countries like China and Russia. Jaiswal condemned the label, dismissing it as another “imputation without evidence” and a reflection of Canada’s strategy to undermine India on the international stage.
Impact on Indian Community in Canada
Amid escalating tensions, Canada’s opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, recently cancelled a Diwali celebration at Parliament Hill, a decision that has disappointed the Indian diaspora in Canada. Jaiswal called this an unfortunate indication of “intolerance and extremism” in the current Canadian atmosphere.
The MEA also addressed concerns about Indian students and workers in Canada, especially regarding a recent reduction in visas, indicating it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring their safety.
Background of India-Canada Diplomatic Row
The diplomatic strain between India and Canada intensified after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the 2023 killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a claim that India has consistently denied. The situation worsened earlier this month when Canada termed the Indian High Commissioner a “person of interest” in Nijjar’s killing. In retaliation, India recalled its High Commissioner and expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Canada’s acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.
