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Indian Envoy to Canada Demands Evidence in Nijjar Case, Hits Back at Allegations

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has forcefully rejected allegations of Indian state involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During a televised interview, he repeatedly demanded concrete evidence to back the claims, which he labeled as preposterous and politically motivated. Patnaik emphasized that the ongoing legal case in Canada is against individuals and does not implicate the Indian state. He reiterated India's position that it is prepared to take action if any credible evidence is presented by Canadian authorities.

Key Points: India's Envoy to Canada Questions Evidence in Nijjar Killing Allegations

  • Envoy demands evidence for allegations
  • Rejects claims as preposterous and absurd
  • Says India willing to act if proof provided
  • Highlights case is against individuals, not state
3 min read

"My accusations need evidence; yours don't?": Indian Envoy to Canada criticises allegations of India's involvement in Hardeep Nijjar's killing

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, challenges allegations of India's involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, demanding concrete evidence.

"My accusations need evidence. Your accusations don't need evidence, right? - Dinesh Patnaik"

Ottawa, January 13

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, strongly pushed back against allegations linking the Indian government to the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, sharply questioning the absence of evidence during a televised interview.

Responding to a question during CBC News' "Power & Politics" on allegations primarily made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India had interfered in the country's internal affairs by killing Nijjar, Patnaik repeatedly demanded "evidence", saying accusations cannot stand without evidence.

"Well, where is the evidence? Every time you keep on saying 'credible information'," the Indian envoy said, rejecting the allegations as unsubstantiated.

"We have always said it's preposterous and absurd; it's something we don't do. These are allegations which have not been backed by evidence. There's always easy-to-do acquisitions. Acquisitions are easy," Patnaik added.

Patnaik emphasised that the ongoing legal case in Canada does not implicate the Indian state, adding that the accusations stemmed from statements made by a former Canadian prime minister and his team.

"You have accused us, but where have we been implicated? The case is going on in court... And the case in court is also against four individuals. Where is the case against a state? It's a talk given by a former prime minister backed by his team at that time, which he had; they had to back it. Where is the evidence on the ground?" he asked.

"We can go into who said what. At the end of the day, it's about evidence on the ground," Patnaik said, reiterating India's long-standing position that it is willing to act if credible proof is presented.

"We have said very clearly, if there is evidence ever coming out, if you provide us evidence, we will take action ourselves. We don't need you to take action on that. What we need is for you to give us evidence for us to take action," he said

In a pointed remark aimed at the framing of the allegations, the Indian envoy said, "When you accuse us, what happens here is my accusations need evidence. Your accusations don't need evidence, right?"

He further added, "You have accusations; you have to back it up with evidence. You can't say I accuse you, and you have to now justify yourselves."

The remarks come in the context of the strained ties between the two sides in recent years, primarily due to concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani separatist elements and Canada's allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023.

India had strongly rejected the allegations and termed them "politically motivated".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone living in Canada, I find this whole situation frustrating. The timing of the initial allegations by Trudeau felt very political. If there is real evidence, present it in a court of law, not just in press conferences. The lack of transparency from our own authorities here is concerning.
V
Vikram M
The core question is valid: "My accusations need evidence; yours don't?" It exposes a double standard. Canada shelters individuals India has designated as terrorists, and then makes unsubstantiated claims. The relationship is strained for a reason. Hope sense prevails.
P
Priyanka N
While I stand with India's demand for evidence, I hope our diplomacy also focuses on rebuilding bridges with the large Indian diaspora in Canada. Many of us have family and business ties there. This constant tension isn't good for ordinary people on either side.
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Rahul R
Patnaik Sir spoke well. But let's be honest, the trust is broken. Even if evidence appears now, will people believe it? The narrative has been set. Canada needs to seriously address the Khalistani extremism issue on its soil first. That's the root cause of this mess.
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Michael C
Respectfully, the envoy's point about evidence is legally sound. However, the tone feels very combative. A more collaborative approach, perhaps through a joint investigative committee, might yield better results than this public back-and-forth. Both nations are democracies and should act like partners.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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