On Tuesday, October 29, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison testified before the Public Safety and National Security Committee, reiterating unfounded claims that senior Indian officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, authorized attacks on pro-Khalistani individuals in Canada. Morrison asserted that he had leaked intelligence and sensitive information about India to The Washington Post.
Notably, Morrison briefed the Washington Post just days before a meeting with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in Singapore, targeting audiences in the US, UK, and India.
The latest development comes amid the ongoing India-Canada row that has worsened diplomatic ties. (AP File Photo)
Morrison's testimony followed allegations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and other Canadian officials, who claimed that Indian officials, including Minister Shah, were involved in various criminal activities in Canada, ranging from intimidation to murder.
The committee hearing was chaired by Conservative MP Raquel Dancho, who serves as the party's public safety critic. Dancho pressed Morrison on the information he and Canada’s National Security Adviser, Nathalie Drouin, had shared with The Washington Post, during which they identified Minister Shah as a key figure linked to the alleged criminal activities against pro-Khalistani individuals in Canada. In response, Morrison confirmed that he had named Minister Shah in discussions with a representative from The Washington Post. He said, “The journalists called me and asked if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person.”
Rising tensions and diplomatic withdrawals
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have notably deteriorated following Canada's accusations against India regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered in June 2023, without presenting any evidence. Recently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged that Indian diplomats, officials, and a senior minister in the Indian government were involved in orchestrating attacks on pro-Khalistani individuals and gathering intelligence about them. In response to these allegations, India denied the claims and recalled six high-ranking diplomats identified by Canada as being implicated in the attacks, while Canada requested the waiving of their diplomatic immunity to allow for questioning by law enforcement.
Although India had already declared its intention to recall the six diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, Canada proceeded to announce the expulsion of these diplomats. In retaliation, India expelled Canadian diplomats and ordered them to leave the country within three days. With the Canadian Deputy Minister's testimony accusing the Indian Home Minister while speaking to The Washington Post, tensions between the two nations are likely to escalate further.
Sikhs for Justice leveraged Canada's support to accuse India of targeting Khalistani activists
The Khalistani terrorist organization, disguised as the advocacy group Sikhs for Justice, has reacted to the allegations by calling for the prosecution of HM Shah. Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a designated Khalistani terrorist and founder of SFJ, who often threatens India, stated, “Amit Shah has weaponized India’s security agencies to pursue and eliminate pro-Khalistan activists, even outside of India.” He further claimed that the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not an isolated incident but indicative of wider policies purportedly carried out under Shah’s orders.
India denies allegations of being involved in criminal activities on Canadian territory
India has firmly rejected Morrison's claims, asserting that neither the country nor its agents, diplomats, or officials are engaged in any criminal activities aimed at pro-Khalistani individuals in Canada. India has characterized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations as politically motivated and has raised concerns about his motives in escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
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