Canada’s allegations against Amit Shah ‘absurd and baseless’

Toronto: India has strongly denied the allegations levelled by Canada against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, terming them as absurd and baseless. The Ministry of External Affairs has summoned a representative of the Canadian High Commission here in this regard and handed over a diplomatic note to him.

On October 29, Canada’s Deputy Minister David Morrison had quoted Shah in his statement before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa. He had alleged Shah’s involvement in the killings of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The Government of India has lodged a protest in the strongest possible terms against these baseless allegations. Jaiswal further said that Canada’s actions reaffirm India’s concerns about the agenda and behaviour of the current Canadian government.”

“Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for the bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. On India’s allegations that Canadian cyber security is at risk, Jaiswal said, “This appears to be another example of Canada’s strategy to attack India without evidence.”

India has also opposed audio and video surveillance in Canada on Indian officials, terming it a “clear violation” of diplomatic conventions. “Our employees are already facing terrorism and violence; Canada’s actions are going to worsen the situation.”