Who is Amit Shah, the Indian minister accused of criminal plots in Canada?

India’s Interior Minister, Amit Shah, whom Canada has accused of orchestrating plots against Sikh separatists on its soil, has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s closest ally for decades. Shah is widely regarded as Modi’s hard-edged counterpart and a potential successor.

Neither Shah’s office nor the Indian foreign ministry has responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations. India has denied any involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and in targeting other dissidents. The diplomatic fallout from the dispute has resulted in the expulsion of diplomats from both nations.

Canada has yet to present evidence linking Shah to actions against Sikh separatists, despite Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison referencing the allegations on Tuesday.

Shah, 60, is seen by many analysts as the most influential figure in Indian politics after Modi. Both leaders, known for their Hindu nationalist ideology, have worked together in state and national governments for over two decades, beginning in their home state of Gujarat. If Modi were to step down, Shah is widely expected to take his place.

In 2019, during Modi’s first press conference as prime minister, he gave a brief statement but declined to answer questions, instead pointing to Shah, then president of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “I am a disciplined soldier of the party; the president is everything to me,” Modi remarked, referring to Shah.

Renowned for his electoral strategy, Shah has been pivotal in transforming the BJP from a minor political force into a dominant one. His leadership has delivered significant victories across India. In recognition of his influence, Modi appointed him as head of the powerful Home Ministry in 2019.

“Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah, a vigilant and alert administrator, views weak security as a major impediment to the development of society, the state, and the country,” according to Shah’s official website.

The website also states that Shah was wrongfully implicated in a 2010 case involving the extrajudicial killing of a “dreaded terrorist” while serving as Gujarat’s home minister. Following the accusation, he resigned and spent three months in jail but was acquitted by a court in 2014.

Shah has played a key role in controversial decisions, including the 2019 revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status and the introduction of a law allowing non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries to obtain Indian citizenship.

Born in Mumbai to a prosperous Gujarati family, Shah has been in politics for more than 25 years. He dropped out of school around the age of 18, according to a declaration submitted during the 2019 general election. In a 2016 interview, Shah mentioned that apart from a brief stint selling plastic tubing, his entire adult life has been dedicated to working for the BJP and its affiliated groups. He has developed a reputation as a hardline Hindu nationalist with firm views.

A long-time associate of both Modi and Shah noted that the two leaders advocate for Hindu causes, not just as thinkers but as active participants. “They are fearless about it,” the associate said.

At a 2021 conference, Shah emphasized that India’s policy under Modi prioritizes the nation above all else. He cited India’s 2016 and 2019 military strikes against alleged militant camps in Pakistan, conducted in response to attacks on Indian soldiers.

“The world was taken by surprise when we responded to Pakistan on their territory,” Shah remarked. “Previously, such actions were associated with the U.S. and Israel, but now India has joined their ranks. For the first time, our defence policy emerged from the shadows of foreign policy. We made it clear that while we seek peace with everyone, others must also behave peacefully with us.”