REUTERS/Chris Helgren Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 19 (Reuters) - India characterised as "absurd and motivated" an accusation by Canada that it was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, urging the country instead to take legal action against anti-Indian elements operating from its soil.
Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" linking Indian government agents to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons on Monday.
Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in June, had been designated a "terrorist" by India in July 2020, following his support for a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent state of Khalistan.
Modi, in turn, conveyed strong concern to Trudeau over recent demonstrations in Canada by Sikhs calling for an independent state.
Khalistan is an independent Sikh state whose creation has been sought for decades.
Persons:
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Nanak, Chris Helgren, Justin Trudeau, Nijjar, Trudeau, Narendra Modi, Modi, Sakshi Dayal, Jacqueline Wong, Clarence Fernandez
Organizations:
REUTERS, Thomson
Locations:
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, DELHI, India, New Delhi, Punjab