India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asserting that his recent admission highlights the absence of hard evidence behind Canada’s allegations linking India to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The MEA stated that Trudeau’s remarks only reinforce India’s stance that the claims are unsubstantiated, accusing the Canadian leader of damaging bilateral relations with his "cavalier behaviour”, ANI reported.

In his testimony before a Canadian inquiry into foreign interference, Trudeau conceded that while his government had shared intelligence on the matter, it did not possess definitive proof of India's involvement. India swiftly responded, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that Canada had "presented no evidence whatsoever" to support the serious allegations. Jaiswal emphasised that the responsibility for the strain on relations "lies solely with Prime Minister Trudeau." The diplomatic spat originated from Trudeau’s statement in the Canadian Parliament last year, where he claimed to have "credible allegations" of India’s involvement in the assassination of Nijjar.

India has categorically denied these allegations, labelling them "absurd" and "motivated," and accused Canada of harbouring extremist and anti-India elements. Tensions escalated further after Canada designated several Indian diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and summoned Canada’s Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler, condemning what it described as a “baseless targeting” of its officials.

India has since withdrawn its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, citing concerns over the safety of its diplomatic staff. The Indian government has warned that it reserves the right to take additional measures in response to what it perceives as Canada's support for extremism and separatism against India.