A Canadian newspaper story that claimed prime minister Narendra Modi knew about the plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was denied by the authorities on Wednesday. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs referred to these media claims as "ludicrous."
 
"Normally, we don't respond to news reporting. However, MEA spokesperson Randhir jaiswal stated that such absurd remarks made to a publication allegedly by a Canadian official source should be treated with the disdain they merit.


Randhir jaiswal went on to say, "Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties,"
 
The report, which cited an unnamed Canadian national security official, asserted that Union home minister amit shah was behind the alleged assassination plot and that PM Modi, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were all aware of it. This could further exacerbate already strained relations between india and Canada.
 
However, the article also stated that there was no proof in canada to support this accusation against PM Modi.
 

"While canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew, the official said, the assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in india would not have discussed the targeted killings with Mr. Modi before proceeding," according to the article.
 
The issue triggered by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's earlier charges has escalated with the first direct accusations made against PM Modi, S Jaishankar, and Doval in relation to the event.
 
After Trudeau claimed to have solid evidence connecting indian government officials to Nijjar's murder last year, diplomatic ties between india and canada reached an all-time low. india has strongly denied any participation, calling the allegations politically driven and without merit.
 
 

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