New Delhi: On Wednesday, India firmly rejected a recent report by a Canadian media outlet that suggested the Indian Prime Minister was aware of a plot to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The External Affairs Ministry labeled the claims as part of a "smear campaign."

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to the report, which cited an unnamed Canadian official, calling the accusations "ludicrous" and urging that such statements be disregarded with the contempt they deserve.

"We typically do not comment on media reports. However, such baseless allegations published by a Canadian newspaper should be dismissed as they only harm the already strained relations between the two countries," Jaiswal said.

The report in The Globe and Mail claimed that high-ranking officials, including India's National Security Advisor and the External Affairs Minister, were allegedly aware of the plot to kill Nijjar, who was shot and killed in Canada last year.

Tensions between India and Canada worsened last month after Canadian authorities accused Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, of being linked to the murder. In response, India rejected these allegations and recalled its high commissioner. Canada then expelled Indian diplomats, leading to India expelling Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats.

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