Fact Check: "The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has not responded to questions about the allegations."
What We Know
The claim that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa has not responded to questions about the allegations stems from a broader diplomatic conflict between Canada and India. Following the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in this and other violent acts against Canadian citizens, prompting Canada to expel India's top diplomat and several other officials as persons of interest in the case (source-1, source-2).
In response, India has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as "absurd" and asserting that they are politically motivated (source-3). The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it considers the targeting of its diplomats in Canada unacceptable and has also expelled Canadian diplomats in retaliation (source-4, source-5).
However, there is no direct evidence presented in the sources that specifically addresses whether the Indian High Commission has formally responded to inquiries regarding these allegations. The focus of the reports has been primarily on the diplomatic expulsion and the accusations made by both countries.
Analysis
The sources indicate a significant diplomatic rift between Canada and India, with both sides making serious allegations against each other. The reliability of the information presented is contingent upon the credibility of the news outlets reporting it. The Associated Press, NPR, and the Washington Post are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, the nature of the diplomatic conflict means that both sides may have biases in their narratives.
While the Indian government has publicly rejected the allegations, the lack of a clear response from the High Commission regarding specific inquiries is not explicitly documented in the available sources. The reports focus on the expulsion of diplomats and the broader implications of the allegations rather than detailing any direct communication or lack thereof from the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. This absence of information leaves a gap in the claim's verification.
Conclusion
Needs Research. The claim that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa has not responded to questions about the allegations lacks direct evidence in the available sources. While the diplomatic tensions are well-documented, further investigation is necessary to confirm whether the High Commission has indeed failed to respond to inquiries or if such responses were simply not reported in the current coverage.
Sources
- Canada expels top India diplomats, links them to murder of ... Reuters
- Canada expels India's top diplomat and alleges wider ... NPR
- Canada alleges much wider campaign by Modi ... Washington Post
- India decides to withdraw High Commissioner and other ... The Hindu
- India to withdraw High Commissioner & other 'targeted ... Economic Times
- Canada, India expel diplomats as police uncover ... Al Jazeera
- Canadian and US controversies are problems for India Oxan
- Canada and India expel each other's diplomats in ... Los Angeles Times
