India has strongly reacted to a report in a Canadian newspaper alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed the claims, calling them part of a "smear campaign" that could further damage the already strained diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Allegations Against India

A report published by The Globe and Mail on Wednesday suggested that Canadian officials believed Prime Minister Modi, along with senior Indian leaders such as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, were aware of Nijjar’s targeted killing. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a designated terrorist in India, was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded sharply to the claims:

“We do not normally comment on media reports. However, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties.”

Ongoing Diplomatic Standoff

Tensions between India and Canada have been escalating since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s killing. The allegations were first raised during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, where Trudeau claimed to have "credible intelligence" linking Indian agents to the incident. India has consistently denied these accusations and demanded evidence, which Canada has yet to provide.

In retaliation to Ottawa's allegations, both countries have taken strong diplomatic measures:

• India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner from Canada.
• Canada alleged that Indian agents were involved in organized crimes such as extortion and harassment within Canadian borders, claims which India has refuted.

Heightened Security Measures for Passengers

Amid the diplomatic row, Canada has introduced heightened security protocols for passengers traveling to India. Canadian Transport Minister Anita Anand announced additional screening measures, citing an "abundance of caution." These measures, implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), are expected to cause longer wait times for travelers.

Air Canada has issued advisories recommending passengers arrive at airports at least four hours before departure.

"Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers traveling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated," Air Canada stated in its notification.

Historical Context and Khalistani Issue

The ongoing tensions stem from Canada’s alleged support for Khalistani separatists and its handling of India’s extradition requests for individuals wanted in cases of terrorism. India has accused Canada of providing a safe haven for individuals involved in anti-India activities. Conversely, Canada claims its democratic values allow for peaceful advocacy, even for controversial movements.

Despite the accusations, India remains firm in its denial of involvement in Nijjar’s killing. The MEA emphasized that these "unsubstantiated claims" and "baseless allegations" are not conducive to improving bilateral relations.

Looking Ahead

With both nations recalling top diplomats and relations hitting new lows, the path to resolving this standoff remains uncertain. As tensions simmer, the international community watches closely, hoping for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.