Smear campaign: India on Canada media report claiming PM Modi knew of Nijjar killing

The government rubbished the allegations levelled by a Canadian newspaper, calling such media reports "ludicrous" and said such "smear campaigns like this only further damage the already strained ties" between both countries.

In Short

• Canadian news report quotes unnamed national security official
• Official reportedly claims a plot by Home Minister Amit Shah
• Government rejects Canadian news report claims as 'ludicrous'

The government on Wednesday rubbished a Canadian newspaper report that alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, called such media reports "ludicrous."

"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," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties," Randhir Jaiswal added.

In a development that could further strain already tense India-Canada relations, the report, citing an unnamed Canadian national security official, claimed that the alleged assassination plot was orchestrated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and that PM Modi, along with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, were informed about the plan.

The report, however, also said that Canada did not have any evidence backing this claim against PM Modi.

"While Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew, the official said, the assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings with Mr. Modi before proceeding," the news report said.

This marks the first time accusations have been directly levelled at PM Modi, S Jaishankar, and Doval in connection with the incident, escalating the controversy sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier allegations.

Last year, India-Canada diplomatic relations hit an unprecedented low after Trudeau alleged credible intelligence linking Indian government agents to Nijjar's killing. India has vehemently denied any involvement, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.