MEA India Calls Upon Canada's 'Politically Driven' Claims, Inaction On Terrorist Activities As Diplomatic Row

Amid a raging diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi dismissed Canada's allegations against India as "politically driven" and "prejudiced."

"No specific information has been shared by Canada on this, either before or after," Bagchi said at the MEA's weekly briefing on Thursday. "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada."

Earlier, on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was involved in the killing of Nijjar, a designated terrorist and one of the most wanted men in India.

Bagchi also confirmed that Canada had not shared any specific information regarding Trudeau's allegations. "From our side, very specific evidence of criminal activities based on Canadian soil has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis but has not been acted upon," he said.

Over the issue of suspension of visa services in Canada, Bagchi said, "We are aware of the security threats being faced by our high commission and consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our high commissions and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis."

Earlier on Thursday, Canada suspended the services of India's visa processing center in Canada.

Public allegations levied by Canada have strained relations between the two countries, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both sides.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 this year in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb. Nijjar was designated a "terrorist" by India in July 2020 over his support of a Sikh homeland as an independent Khalistani state.