Trudeau Labels Canadian Security Officials ‘Criminals’ Over Fake Intel Leak On PM Modi Link In Nijjar Case

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strongly condemned his own national security officials, branding them as “criminals” for leaking classified information to the press.

He alleged that these leaks have repeatedly resulted in “wrong” stories.

Trudeau's harsh comments came in response to a Canadian media report linked top Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the murder plot of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, further straining ties with India.

Speaking at a press conference in Brampton on Friday (22 November), Trudeau said, "We have seen, unfortunately, that criminals leaking top-secret information to the media have consistently gotten those stories wrong".

"That's why we had a national enquiry into foreign interference, which has highlighted that criminals leaking information to media outlets are unreliable on top of being criminals," he stated.

A leading Canadian media outlet earlier last week cited an unnamed security official claiming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the alleged plot to killl Nijjar.

The report further alleged that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were privy to the operation allegedly headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

On Thursday, the Canadian government dismissed the allegations.

Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau's intelligence adviser, clarified, “The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of the evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate.”

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) categorically rejected the media report, terming the accusations “ludicrous.”

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the allegations as “smear campaigns” and urged they be “dismissed with the contempt they deserve.”

Relations between India and Canada have been tense since Trudeau accused Indian government agents of playing a role in Nijjar’s killing in June 2023.

India has strongly denied the claims, labelling them “absurd” and politically motivated, while accusing Canada of sheltering individuals engaged in terrorism and criminal activities targeting Indian interests.

Tensions worsened last month when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged Indian agents were involved in crimes such as murder, extortion, and intimidation in Canada, and named India's ambassador to Canada as a person of interest.

India rejected the charges and recalled its ambassador and other officials. New Delhi also expelled six senior Canadian diplomats.

Also Read: 'Victory Of Development, Good Governance': Key Highlights Of PM Modi's Speech After BJP-Led Mahayuti Routs MVA In Maharashtra