Nijjar Killing: India Accuses Trudeau Of Shielding China's Meddling In Canadian Politics In Unusually Strong Rebuke

In a statement uncharacteristic of the diplomatic language usually employed by India, the Narendra Modi government accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of smearing India for political gain.

In a reference to China, the government stated that Trudeau is accusing India of involvement in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing to deflect "criticism for turning a blind eye to foreign interference in Canadian politics."

While India did not mention China, it is now widely recognised that Beijing “clandestinely and deceptively” interfered in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections.

This interference aimed to favour candidates aligned with Beijing's strategic interests by discouraging votes for the Conservative Party, which China saw as anti-Beijing. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) revealed these findings in a February 2023 report. China’s desired outcome—a Trudeau minority government—was achieved.

The statement was issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after Canada informed India the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in the investigation on Khalistani terrorist Nijjar's killing on Canadian soil.

"Prime Minister Trudeau’s hostility to India has long been in evidence. In 2018, his visit to India, which was aimed at currying favour with a vote bank, rebounded to his discomfort. His Cabinet has included individuals who have openly associated with an extremist and separatist agenda regarding India. His naked interference in Indian internal politics in December 2020 showed how far he was willing to go in this regard," it said.

The statement reads , "This latest development targeting Indian diplomats is now the next step in that direction. It is no coincidence that it takes place as Prime Minister Trudeau is to depose before a Commission on foreign interference. It also serves the anti-India separatist agenda that the Trudeau Government has constantly pandered to for narrow political gains."

India said that the Trudeau government has deliberately allowed violent extremists and terrorists to operate freely in Canada, creating an environment where Indian diplomats and community leaders are harassed, threatened, and even subjected to death threats.

The ministry claimed that these actions have been defended under the guise of protecting freedom of speech. Additionally, it was noted that some individuals who entered Canada illegally have been fast-tracked for citizenship.

It further highlighted that multiple extradition requests from India regarding terrorists and organized crime figures have been ignored by Canadian authorities. According to the MEA, "All these activities have been justified in the name of freedom of speech."

The statement, unlike those typically issued by the MEA on this issue, adopts an unprecedentedly harsh tone in calling out the Canadian Prime Minister, signalling that New Delhi's patience with him is wearing thin.