NEW DELHI — India’s government firmly rejected allegations on Thursday regarding collaborations with organized crime to pursue Sikh separatists in Canada, claims made by Canadian officials amid escalating diplomatic tensions.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry, dismissed any claims of collusion with crime syndicates based in Canada and implied that Canadian authorities might be obstructing India’s requests to extradite these individuals.

Jaiswal expressed incredulity over Canada blaming individuals that India has sought to deport for alleged crimes taking place within Canada.

Recently, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and law enforcement officials disclosed public accusations that Indian diplomats were allegedly targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. This purportedly involved sharing intelligence about these individuals with officials back in India, who then reportedly communicated this information to organized crime groups tasked with engaging in violent activities like drive-by shootings and extortion against these activists, all of whom are Canadian nationals.

The diplomatic rift deepened this week, with both nations expelling senior diplomats following allegations tying Indian diplomats to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered in June 2023.

Relations have deteriorated over the past year, especially due to grievances surrounding Nijjar’s murder. Canada asserts that it has provided evidence concerning its claims to Indian officials; however, India maintains that it has yet to receive any such information.

Jaiswal reiterated on Thursday that Canada has failed to deliver proof regarding their allegations concerning the attacks on Sikh activists, a statement that conflicting with Trudeau’s claims of cooperative information sharing between Canadian investigators and Indian counterparts.

Furthermore, Jaiswal accused Canada of neglecting to take any significant action against Sikhs in Canada that are implicated in terrorism-related charges in India, connected to a separatist movement in India’s Punjab state.

He highlighted that India has a backlog of 26 extradition requests pending in Canada, some lingering for more than a decade. Additionally, several individuals with provisional arrest requests are still awaiting action from Canadian authorities, including some charged with serious terrorist offenses in India.

“To date, no progress has been made regarding our requests on the Canadian side. This is a serious matter,” Jaiswal emphasized.

India has consistently criticized the Canadian government for being lenient towards advocates of the Khalistan movement, a movement outlawed in India yet having backing within the Sikh diaspora, notably within Canada.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated on Monday that they identified India’s top diplomat in Canada and five others as persons of interest related to the Nijjar case. They also disclosed findings of an escalating campaign against Canadian nationals by agents allegedly connected to the Indian government.

Nijjar, who was 45, was tragically shot and killed last year while in his truck after leaving the Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, which he had led. As a Canadian of Indian origin and a plumbing business owner, he was recognized as a prominent figure in the lingering movement advocating for an independent Sikh nation.

Four Indian nationals residing in Canada have been charged with his murder and are currently awaiting trial.