India Dismisses ‘Secret Memo Against Nijjar’ Report as Pakistani Intelligence Propaganda

In a strong rebuttal, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India refuted a recent report claiming that New Delhi had issued a ‘secret memo’ to consulates in North America, instructing a crackdown on Sikh diaspora organizations. The ministry dismissed the report as part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India and attributed it to Pakistani intelligence.

The MEA, on Sunday, categorically denied the existence of any such memo and labeled the report by The Intercept as “fake and completely fabricated.” The ministry emphasized that the outlet in question is known for propagating false narratives backed by Pakistani intelligence, and the authors’ affiliations confirm this link. The MEA warned against amplifying such fake news, stating that those who do so risk damaging their own credibility.

The Intercept’s report, dated April 2023, alleged that the secret memo identified Sikh dissidents under investigation by Indian intelligence agencies, including Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian government dismissed these claims, asserting that the memo was fictitious. Notably, the report suggested that the memo was circulated two months before Nijjar’s reported assassination in Vancouver.

The death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar strained India-Canada relations when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in Nijjar’s assassination. India firmly rejected the allegations and pledged cooperation in the investigation if Canada provided credible evidence. The ensuing diplomatic tensions led to a temporary suspension of visa services by India in Canada, which later resumed. However, a diplomatic row ensued, resulting in the withdrawal of around 40 Canadian diplomats from India. New Delhi highlighted a disparity in the number of diplomats between the two countries and accused Canadian diplomats in India of interfering in internal affairs. The MEA’s latest statement underscores India’s commitment to countering misinformation and defending its position against baseless allegations.