Canada alleges Indian minister Amit Shah behind plot to target Sikh separatists

The Canadian authorities alleged connected Tuesday that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a adjacent state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was down nan land to target Sikh separatists connected Canadian soil.

The Indian authorities did not instantly respond but has dismissed Canada's anterior accusations arsenic baseless, denying immoderate involvement.

CANADA-INDIA TIES COULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO RECOVER

The Washington Post newspaper first reported that Canadian officials alleged Shah, considered nan number 2 successful nan Modi government, was down a run of unit and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists successful Canada.

Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison said to a parliamentary sheet connected Tuesday that he told nan U.S.-based newspaper that Shah was down nan plots.

"The journalist called maine and asked if it (Shah) was that person. I confirmed it was that person," Morrison told nan committee, without providing further specifications aliases evidence. The High Commission of India successful Ottawa and nan Indian overseas ministry had nary contiguous comment.

The Indian location ministry directed queries to nan overseas ministry.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) walks alongside Amit Shah, Indian Home Minister and leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) connected nan time he casts his vote, extracurricular a polling position during nan 3rd shape of nan wide election, successful Ahmedabad, India, May 7, 2024.  (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo)

Canada told India astir Shah's alleged domiciled successful nan land astir October 2023, 1 Indian authorities root told Reuters successful New Delhi connected Wednesday.

But New Delhi thinks nan accusation is very weak, flimsy and does not expect it to origin immoderate problem for Shah aliases nan government, nan root and different authorities root said.

Both said connected information of anonymity arsenic they are not authorised to speak to nan media.

India has called Sikh separatists "terrorists" and threats to its security. Sikh separatists request an independent homeland known arsenic Khalistan to beryllium carved retired of India. An insurgency successful India during nan 1980s and 1990s killed tens of thousands.

That play included nan 1984 anti-Sikh riots that near thousands dormant pursuing nan assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards aft she ordered information forces to large wind nan holiest Sikh temple to flush retired Sikh separatists.

Canada successful mid-October expelled Indian diplomats, linking them to nan 2023 execution of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar connected Canadian soil. India besides ordered nan expulsion of Canadian diplomats.

The Canadian lawsuit is not nan only lawsuit of India's alleged targeting of Sikh separatists connected overseas soil.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Washington has charged a erstwhile Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, for allegedly directing a foiled crippled to execution Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual U.S.-Canadian national and Indian professional successful New York City.

The FBI warned against specified a retaliation aimed astatine a U.S. resident. India has said small publically since announcing successful November 2023 it would formally analyse nan U.S. allegations.

The accusations person tested Washington and Ottawa's relations pinch India, often viewed by nan West arsenic a counterbalance to China.