In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Canada has levelled fresh accusations against the Indian government, alleging its direct involvement in “serious criminal activity” on Canadian soil. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) held a press conference late Monday night, claiming that their investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani activist killed in Canada last year, has uncovered links between agents of the Indian government and “homicides and violent acts” in Canada.
Canada claims Pro Khalistani terrorists linked with India govt. agents
The RCMP’s Assistant Commissioner, Brigitte Gauvin, stated, “What we have seen is, from an RCMP perspective, they use organised crime elements. It has been publically attributed and claimed by one organised crime group in particular – Bishnoi Group. We believe that this group is connected to agents of the Government of India.”
Is the Indian govt involved with the Bishnoi gang?
These allegations come at a susceptible time, as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, mentioned in the RCMP’s statement, is currently in the spotlight in India for its alleged involvement in the recent murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Lawrence Bishnoi himself is presently incarcerated in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail.
The RCMP further alleged that Indian agents present in Canada are collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistan elements.
“Evidence also shows that agents of the Government of India have used a wide variety of entities in Canada and abroad to collect information. Some of these individuals and businesses were coerced and threatened into working for the Government of India,” the RCMP statement read.
Indian diplomats are ‘Persons of Interest’ in Nijjar’s murder?
Interestingly, these accusations follow Canada’s claim that Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in the Nijjar murder investigation. However, it’s worth noting that Ottawa has yet to provide concrete evidence to support these serious allegations.
The timing of these accusations is particularly noteworthy, coming just two days after the murder of Baba Siddique in Mumbai, for which the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility. This confluence of events has raised eyebrows and questions about the motivations behind Canada’s timing.
Is India responsible for NOT holding relations with Canada?
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the media following the RCMP press conference, asserting that despite repeated requests and attempts to work with the Indian government on this case, “New Delhi decided not to cooperate.”
However, the Indian government has consistently maintained that Canada has failed to provide any substantive evidence to support its accusations.
Here’s what the Indian High Commissioner said:
In response to Canada’s allegations against the Indian High Commissioner, India’s Ministry of External Affairs released a strongly worded statement. It accused Canada of not sharing “a shred of evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing” despite repeated requests. The statement further charged Trudeau with engaging in vote bank politics and failing to adequately address separatist elements on Canadian soil.
This diplomatic row has led to significant repercussions, with New Delhi recalling its top envoy to Ottawa and expelling six Canadian diplomats from India on Monday evening.
Is Canada hiding or supporting Khalistani terrorists?
It’s crucial to note the historical context of these allegations. India has long accused Canada of harbouring Khalistani terrorists, including those responsible for the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which claimed 329 lives and remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history.
Paradoxically, recent attempts by Khalistani groups to shift blame for this bombing onto India and rehabilitate their image among Canadians add another layer of complexity to the situation.
Here’s S Jaishankar’s stance:
India has also raised concerns about Canada being a haven for individuals with links to organized crime. In May 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized Canadian immigration policy following the arrest of three Indian nationals allegedly linked to Nijjar’s killing.
Jaishankar stated, “Several people with organised crime links from Punjab have been made welcome in Canada. We have been telling Canada that look, these are wanted criminals from India, you have given them visas. But the Canadian government has not done anything.”
What happened in June 2022?
It’s worth recalling that in June 2022, the Indian High Commission alerted Canada about the involvement of gangsters operating from its soil in violent crimes in Punjab, following the killing of singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has a presence in Canada through its associates, had claimed responsibility for Moose Wala’s murder.
What does India-Canada’s diplomatic row underscore?
As tensions continue to escalate between the two nations, the international community watches closely. The situation raises critical questions about the intersection of organized crime, international diplomacy, and the complex dynamics of diaspora communities.
While Canada’s allegations are serious, the lack of publicly presented evidence leaves room for scepticism and underscores the need for transparency in such high-stakes diplomatic confrontations.
As this situation unfolds, it will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for India-Canada relations, as well as broader geopolitical dynamics in the region. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic channels can be reopened and whether evidence will be presented to substantiate these grave allegations.
