Fact Check: ‘Secret Memo’ Links Indian Diplomats With Violent Crimes In West?

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday stated that a ‘secret memo’ that had gone viral on social media purportedly attempting to link Indian diplomats abroad with violent crimes was fake.

The fake memo has been dated April 2023. It is purported to be from former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra. The memo asked Indian diplomats to “cultivate” Indian diaspora groups in Canada “as vital force in the street confrontations with Sikh extremists”.

According to reports, the memo was posted on X from the account of an user named Aman Singh. The title of the X handle is @TheStarBanner. Reports claimed that the user is based in New York.

“Indian Government’s Secret Memo has been leaked where it has been revealed that the Indian Embassies are being used to mobilize and train terrorists in the west,” Singh had written on X, while sharing the fake memo.

The memo had surfaced at a time when tension between Indian  and Canada escalated over the alleged free rein given to Khalistani separatists in Canada.

Recently, it had been alleged that members of a pro-Khalistani group entered the premises of a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, and attacked devotees there.

The incident took place as the Indian consulate was holding a camp on the temple premises to help the Indian diaspora complete their life certificates.

India has condemned the violence.