Khalistani elements 'deep assets' of Canadian security agency: Indian envoy

India’s envoy to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma has alleged that Khalistani terrorists and extremists who are encouraged by the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government, double up as the “deep assets” of the Canada Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

Verma was among the six Indian diplomats who were recently expelled by Canada after the latter accused New Delhi of refusing to cooperate in probe into the alleged acts of violence and coercion linked to Indian agents. Canada said the envoys were “persons of interest” in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder probe.

“Largely given the mistrust that we have on Mr. Trudeau and his team, we will have concerns and discuss it very carefully with them. Our security and safety are concerns… Khalistani extremists are being encouraged all the time. This is my allegation. I am not giving any evidence of that. I also know that some of these Khalistan extremists are deep assets of CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service),” Verma said in an interview to Canadian broadcaster CTV.

‘Not a shred of evidence’

He said Canada has not shared a "shred of evidence" with India in the case relating to the killing of Sikh separatist Nijjar and Ottawa's charges against Indian diplomats are "politically motivated".

Verma also rejected Ottawa's charge about the Indian government's involvement in targeting certain individuals in Canada.

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"We needed to see some evidence on the basis of which we can converse with our Canadian counterparts. Unfortunately, not a shred of evidence has been shared with us. Any evidence shared has to be legally acceptable," Verma said.

Asked about the allegations levelled against him by the Canadian authorities, the Indian envoy strongly denied any involvement in the Nijjar case.

The ties between India and Canada hit rock bottom after Canada linked Verma and some other Indian diplomats to the case. Outrightly rejecting the charges, New Delhi on Monday (October 14) announced recalling High Commissioner Verma and five other diplomats from Ottawa while expelling six Canadian diplomats from India.

On its part, Canada said it expelled the Indian envoy and five other diplomats.

The Canadian authorities also accused Indian agents of involvement in "homicides, extortion and violent acts" targeting pro-Khalistan supporters. India has trashed the charges.

‘India is a country of rule of law’

Verma said India is a country of rule of law and anything acceptable in the Canadian court of law would also be acceptable in the Indian court of law and therefore evidence will work.

"Unfortunately, we have not got anything from Canadian officials which can lead us to a better spot," he said.

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While replying to a question, Verma said he condemns Nijjar's murder.

"Any murder is wrong and bad. I do condemn and that is what I have said in many interviews. Let's get to the bottom of the issue."

The diplomatic row intensified after the Canadian authorities described Verma and some other Indian diplomats as "persons of interest" in the probe into the killing of Nijjar.

When he was questioned about extrajudicial murders, Verma said, “It should not happen anywhere in the world. I know the countries which have done it, and some of them are G7 countries. By the way, let’s not talk about it. There should not be double standards. So, as far as we are concerned, the largest democracy in the world, we are committed not to do extrajudicial killings on any territory.”

About visas for Canadian delegation

Asked about some Canadian officials wishing to visit India to share evidence in the case, he said they wanted to leave for India on October 8 and provided the completed visa application form that day only.

"Visas needed to be affixed for any delegation," he said, adding "for any government delegation to travel to another country, you need an agenda to go by. There was no agenda at all. There was no agenda shared with us. Agenda was shared at the last minute, I believe, after the flight would have departed," he said.

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"I think it was pre-planned. They knew that visas cannot be issued in half an hour or in an hour and therefore they did it. I think it was absolutely politically motivated," Verma said.

The Indian high commissioner said India has been asking for evidence in the case.

‘We have been asking for evidence for last one year’

"In fact, we have been asking for (evidence for) the last one year, which the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) has also said," he said. "And then if you do not share with us the reason for your visit, how do we know?" Verma said.

He strongly denied the allegations against him.

"I, as the High Commissioner of India, have never done anything of that kind," Verma said.

(With inputs from agencies)