New Delhi: The Indian government opposes any move to give political space to those advocating “violence” and extremism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday in response to the Canadian parliament observing a moment of silence for pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“We naturally oppose any moves giving political space to extremism and those advocating violence,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a regular press briefing.
On 18 June, the Canadian House of Commons observed a moment of silence to mark the anniversary of the killing of Nijjar – an Indian-designated terrorist – who was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
In September last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian authorities are investigating “credible allegations” of links between agents of the Indian government and the killing. Trudeau’s allegations set off a diplomatic row, which saw diplomats named and expelled by both governments, and Ottawa withdrawing 41 diplomats from India.
Back then, India rejected the claims as “absurd and motivated”.
The moment of silence in the Canadian Parliament was held barely a week before the 39th anniversary of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 on 23 June 1985. Khalistani extremists are believed to be responsible for the bombing. The flight was scheduled to travel from Montréal to Mumbai, via London and New Delhi.
The bombing of the plane named “Emperor Kanishka” killed all 329 members on board and was the largest aviation disaster till the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in the US.
“Time and again we have said that this is a matter of serious concern for us – Khalistani activities. We have been repeatedly calling upon the government of Canada to take action,” Jaiswal at the press briefing said, on the question of Khalistani terrorism.
The Indian High Commission in Canada is holding a memorial service to mark the anniversary of the attack in Ottawa.
India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat.
June 23, 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims… pic.twitter.com/zIOKPAGZQO
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) June 14, 2024
‘Documentary contains blatant untruths’
The Indian government’s response to Khalistani activities in foreign countries, especially Canada, the US and Australia, has come under increasing scrutiny by global media. Earlier this week, a Four Corners investigation by the ABC TV (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), alleges that the Indian government has attempted to coerce the Sikh diaspora living in Australia.
“The documentary has several elements to it. It contains blatant untruths and I urge you to please have a look at the documentary, it is biased and reflects unprofessional reporting. It appears to serve a political agenda – to malign India. We obviously oppose any such attempts to condone, justify or even glorify terrorism,” Jaiswal said on the allegations raised by the ABC TV documentary.
Australian media reports that at least four Indian intelligence officers were asked to leave the country in 2020 after trying to gain access to sensitive defence technology and airport security protocols.
The US Justice Department in November 2023 filed an indictment against an Indian national – Nikhil Gupta – and an unnamed Indian official as being behind a murder-for-hire plot to kill pro-Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Gupta, was arrested by Czech authorities in Prague on 30 June 2023 and was extradited to the US on 14 June 2024. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Friday, Jaiswal said that India has “so far not received” any request for consular access from Gupta. The ministry is, however, in-touch with his family.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Indian nationals arrested in Nijjar case haven’t requested consular access, says envoy to Canada