India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the two countries’ governments are discussing the case, but he noted that Canada has forwarded no specific evidence of the Indian government’s involvement.

India said Thursday that Canada has provided no evidence to back up its allegation that the Indian government was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada last year, despite the recent arrests of three Indian men in the crime.

India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal also reiterated India’s longstanding allegation that Canada harbors Indian extremists.

Three Indian nationals who had been temporarily living in Canada were charged on Thursday for their alleged role in the June 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year.

Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said after the men’s arrests in Edmonton, Alberta, that the investigation into whether they had ties to the Indian government was ongoing.

Jaiswal said the two countries’ governments are discussing the case, but he added that Canada has forwarded no specific evidence of the Indian government’s involvement.

He noted that New Delhi has complained to Canadian authorities that separatists, extremists, and those advocating violence against India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. “Many of our extradition requests are pending,” he said.

“Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties,” Jaiswal said. “We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set off a diplomatic spat with India last September when he cited “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s assassination. India rejected the accusations.

The three Indian men arrested, all in their 20s, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder and haven’t yet sought any access to the Indian diplomats in Canada, Jaiswal said.

The trio, who appeared in court on Thursday via a video link and agreed to a trial in English, were ordered to appear in British Columbia Provincial Court again on May 21.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said he was satisfied so far with the Indian government’s moves to ensure accountability after alleged assassination plots against Sikh activists in the US were revealed.

US authorities said last November that an Indian government official had directed the plot in the attempted murder of Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual citizen of the US and Canada. Washington said last month that it viewed the reported role of the Indian intelligence service in the assassination plots as a very serious matter.

India has expressed concern about the linkage to officials and dissociated itself from the plot, saying it would formally investigate the US concerns, and take necessary follow-up action.