'Absurd and motivated': India rejects Canada's allegations of involvement in Nijjar killing

New Delhi has issued a statement rejecting allegations by Canada of the Indian government being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister," the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," the statement read.

"Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," MEA further said.

"The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new," it added.

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The MEA urged the Canadian government to "take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil".