India Summons Canadian Diplomat Over "Absurd" Allegations

India on Saturday summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission to formally protest recent allegations made by Ottawa against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The allegations, described as “absurd and baseless" by India, were presented during a Canadian parliamentary session by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison.

“We had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday, and a diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. 

In the note, India expressed its strong objection to Morrison's claims that Shah was involved in plots targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. Jaiswal emphasized, “The government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister.” He warned that such “irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.” 

The situation escalated when the U.S. also responded to the allegations, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stating, “The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations.”

Tensions between India and Canada have been rising since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last June. In response, India recalled its High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and expelled six Canadian diplomats from the country.