The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence, says MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly refuted a news report alleging that a ‘secret memo’ was issued to Indian missions in North America earlier this year instructing them to launch a “sophisticated crackdown scheme against Sikh diaspora organisations”.
 
"We strongly assert that such reports are fake and completely fabricated. There is no such memo,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Sunday) December 10, 2023) in response to media queries on the report published by digital news outlet The Intercept.
 
He went on to say that this was part of a “sustained disinformation campaign” against India. “The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage,” MEA Spokesperson Bagchi stated.
 
“Those who amplify such fake news only do so at the cost of their own credibility,” he added.
 
The report published by The Intercept on December 10, 2023, alleges that the Indian government instructed its consulates in North America to launch a “sophisticated crackdown scheme” against Sikh diaspora organizations in Western countries, according to a secret memorandum issued in April 2023 by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 
 
“The memo, which was obtained by The Intercept, lists several Sikh dissidents under investigation by India’s intelligence agencies, including the Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” the report claims.
 
Last month, the government of India set up an inquiry committee after the US Department of Justice had charges against an Indian national alleging that he worked with an Indian intelligence official in planning to allegedly kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City.

Responding to media queries on the matter on November 29, 2023, MEA Official Spokesperson Bagchi said, "We have already said that during the course of discussions with the US on bilateral security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others".

The MEA had also indicated that India takes such inputs seriously since they impinge on our national security interests as well, and relevant departments were already examining the issue, Bagchi added.

"In this context, it is informed that on 18 November 2023, the Government of India constituted a high-level Inquiry Committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter," the MEA Spokesperson stated.
 
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier alleged that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. India had rejected the claims, describing them as “politically driven”.

Responding to media queries on November 30, 2023 after Canada reiterated the allegations, MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said, “In so far as Canada is concerned, we have said that they have consistently given space to anti-India extremists and their violence. And that is actually (at) the heart of the issue. Our diplomatic representatives in Canada have borne the brunt of this. So, we expect the government of Canada to live up to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. We have also seen interference by Canadian diplomats in our internal affairs.”