OTTAWA: India’s envoy to Canada, who is being expelled over what Ottawa says are links to the murder of a Sikh leader, insisted in an interview he was innocent and said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had wrecked bilateral political ties.
Both countries on Monday ordered out six diplomats in tit-for-tat moves over Ottawa’s allegations that New Delhi was targeting Indian dissidents on Canadian soil.
Trudeau specifically tied the six to the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year in British Columbia. Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s envoy to Canada, told CTV that Trudeau had been relying on intelligence rather than evidence.
“On the basis of intelligence, if you want to destroy a relationship, be my guest. And that’s what he did,” Verma said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Asked whether he had had anything to with Nijjar’s murder, Verma said: “Nothing at all. No evidence was presented. (This is) politically motivated.”
Canada is home to the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab and demonstrations in favor of a separate homeland carved out of India have irked New Delhi.
People casting votes in the Moldovian elections. — AFP/file CHISINAU: Moldovans voted on Sunday in a presidential...
Russian President Vladimir Putin with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of Russia's...
Indonesia's new President Prabowo Subianto and his predecessor Joko Widodo sit during the presidential inauguration...
Pope Francis attends the Holy Mass and canonisation of 14 saints and martyrs from Damascus, at the Saint Peter's...
European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council leaders and officials pose for a family photo during the joint EU and GCC...
Former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav who has been charged by the US for allegedly directing a foiled plot...