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The escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have reached a new peak with Canada accusing India's Union Home Minister Amit Shah of involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The accusations, made public through a report in The Washington Post, have drawn sharp rebukes from the Indian government, which has dismissed them as “flimsy and weak.”
Canadian officials, including Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison and National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin, confirmed the allegations to a parliamentary panel. They stated that a journalist, whose name was not disclosed, had confirmed Shah’s involvement in the violence and intimidation of Sikh separatists. While the Canadian government did not provide specific details regarding the alleged plots, they revealed that the information, deemed non-classified, was intentionally leaked to The Washington Post before Thanksgiving on October 14th. This, according to Drouin, was part of a deliberate “communications strategy” to ensure that major American outlets received Canada’s perspective on the escalating diplomatic row with India.
The decision to share this information with American media before informing the Canadian public has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who view it as an unfair move. Conservative public safety opposition leader Raquel Dancho expressed her concern, stating that “Canadians wouldn’t know unless they were able to read The Washington Post. I find it unfair that details were released to them but not provided to Canadians.” This incident highlights the growing tension between the two countries, particularly regarding issues surrounding Sikh separatism and the alleged intimidation of Sikh diaspora communities in Canada.
India, in response to these allegations, has firmly rejected the Canadian government's claims. A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the accusations as baseless and asserted that they would not cause any disruption to either Shah or the Union government. This strong denial indicates the potential for further escalation in the diplomatic conflict, with both sides seemingly entrenched in their positions. The incident also highlights the complex dynamics of international relations, where allegations of interference and threats to national security can quickly escalate tensions between countries.
Source: Amit Shah behind assassination plot of Khalistanis, claims Canada