Ottawa: India’s ambassador to Canada, who was expelled over what Ottawa says are links to the killing of a Sikh leader, insisted in an interview that he is innocent and said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has destroyed bilateral political ties.
The two countries on Monday ordered the expulsion of six diplomats in tit-for-tat moves over Ottawa’s allegations that New Delhi is targeting Indian dissidents on Canadian soil.
Trudeau specifically linked the six to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nigar last year in British Columbia. said Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s envoy to Canada CTV That Trudeau was relying on intelligence rather than evidence.
“Based on 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 if he had anything to do with Nagar’s killing, Verma said: “Absolutely nothing. No evidence has been provided. (This) is politically motivated.”
Canada has the largest Sikh population outside their home state of Punjab, and demonstrations in support of a separate homeland separate from India have angered New Delhi.