NEW DELHI — On Saturday, India formally objected to Canada’s assertion that Amit Shah, the country’s influential Home Minister, was involved in targeting Sikh activists within Canadian borders, labeling the claim as “absurd and baseless.”

The tension between India and Canada intensified following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement last year, which indicated that there were credible claims linking the Indian government to the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India has consistently denied these allegations.

The Indian government has expressed increasing concern about Sikh separatist movements, accusing Canada of allowing these groups, which seek to establish an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan, to operate freely.

This escalating diplomatic conflict recently resulted in both nations expelling their top diplomats from each other’s territories.

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry, commented to the press on Saturday, “The Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India.”

Additionally, he mentioned that a Canadian diplomat had been summoned in New Delhi on Friday, where they were presented with a formal letter of protest concerning the allegations. Jaiswal noted, “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.”

In a statement to Parliament, Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed on Tuesday that he had mentioned Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which was the first outlet to report these claims. However, Morrison did not disclose how Canadian officials came to the conclusion regarding Shah’s alleged involvement.

Canadian officials have asserted that they shared evidence with their Indian counterparts, but Indian officials counter that no such proof has been provided, deeming the allegations to be ludicrous.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, which India has outlawed. The Indian government classified him as a terrorist in 2020 and was pursuing him for his suspected role in an attack against a Hindu priest in India. For almost 30 years, Nijjar resided in Canada, where around 2% of the population is Sikh.