In a sharply worded statement, India called out Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's "cavalier attitude" after he acknowledged that he had only "intelligence-based speculation" and no "hard evidentiary proof" regarding the alleged involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
"What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along — Canada has presented us (India) no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a late-night statement.
"The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behaviour has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone," it stated.
The stern response followed Trudeau's deposition at a parliamentary inquiry on foreign interference, where he addressed what he characterised as broad efforts by Indian representatives to silence critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Canadian soil.
Days after both sides mutually expelled each other's diplomats amid a deepening rift, the Canadian leader sought to hit back by claiming that there were "clear indications" that India violated his country's sovereignty.
While testifying before the Commission of Inquiry, Trudeau admitted that his government only provided "intelligence and no proof" to India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
He stated that when Canadian agencies asked India to look into the allegations, New Delhi sought proof. "At that point, it was primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof," Trudeau said.
The diplomatic row between Ottawa and New Delhi has intensified in recent weeks, with both sides accusing each other of mishandling the situation. India has repeatedly charged Canada with making baseless accusations without providing any evidence.
Source: India Today