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India’s ambassador to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma has denied any involvement in the murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, despite being expelled from Canada due to alleged links.
Verma criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying that his actions have damaged bilateral relations between India and Canada.
The expulsion is part of a tit-for-tat diplomatic move, with both countries ordering the removal of six diplomats. Trudeau linked the expelled diplomats to Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia last year.
Verma told CTV that Trudeau had been relying on intelligence rather than evidence. ”On the basis of intelligence, if you want to destroy a relationship, be my guest. And that’s what he did,” Verma said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.
Asked whether he had had anything to with Nijjar’s murder, Verma said: ”Nothing at all. No evidence was presented. (This is) politically motivated.”
Canada is home to the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab and demonstrations in favor of a separate homeland carved out of India have irked New Delhi.
With inputs from agencies.