India Dismisses Claims on Nijjar Assassination Plot

India has strongly rejected allegations made in a Canadian media report that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other high-ranking officials were aware of a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The report from The Globe and Mail, citing an unnamed Canadian security official, claimed that Modi, along with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, were informed about the plan orchestrated by Home Minister Amit Shah. Indian officials have called these allegations 'ludicrous' and a 'smear campaign,' insisting they should be dismissed with contempt. The accusations have further strained India-Canada relations, which have deteriorated following previous claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of India's involvement in targeting Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The diplomatic tensions have escalated with mutual expulsions of diplomats between the countries. India has consistently denied any involvement and criticized Canada for allegedly providing space to extremist elements.