India claims Canada has no proof it had a role in death of Sikh activist

India claims Canada has shared no evidence to back up its allegation that the Indian government was involved in the death of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada last year, despite recent arrests in the crime.

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for India’s external affairs ministry, reiterated India’s longstanding allegation that Canada harbours Indian extremists.

Three Indian nationals who had been living in Canada temporarily were charged on Thursday for their alleged role in the assassination of the Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. Canadian police said the investigation into whether they had ties to India’s government was continuing.

Jaiswal said the two governments were discussing the case but that Canada had forwarded no specific evidence of the Indian government’s involvement.

He added that New Delhi had complained to the Canadian authorities that separatists, extremists and those advocating violence against India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada.

“Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties,” Jaiswal said. “We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters.”

Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, set off a diplomatic spat with India in September, after he cited “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the assassination. India rejected the accusations.

The three Indian men arrested in Canada have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.