Recalled Indian Envoy to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has accused the Canadian Government of encouraging the Khalistani extremists & terrorists and treating them as ‘deep assets’ of Canada Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
In a recent interview with Canada-based CTV News, Verma said, “Khalistani extremists are always being encouraged. This is my accusation, and I also know that a few Khalistani extremists and terrorists are the deep assets of CSIS. I am not giving any proof of this.” He further called upon that the Canadian government to take India’s ‘core concerns seriously’.
Verma appealed to the Trudeau Government to address the core concerns seriously instead of supporting those who challenge India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“These Khalistani extremists are Canadian citizens, not Indians, and no country should let its citizens challenge the sovereignty of another nation,” he added.
The India-Canada row escalated after Canada expelled Verma and five other Indian diplomats, citing they were involved in the murder plot of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats, which led to further deterioration of ties between the two countries.
Additionally, the recalled envoy Verma dismissed the allegations of his involvement in the assassination of Nijjar. He said these allegations are ‘politically motivated’ and no evidence was presented.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, on October 18 said that the remaining Indian diplomats from India in the country are ‘clearly on notice.’ In response, Verma stated, “Let me see what concrete evidence she is talking about. As far as I’m concerned, she is speaking politically.”
He also dismissed allegations of coercing people to collect information on pro-Khalistani activists, including Nijjar.
