In a new escalation of diplomatic tensions, Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has accused agents of the Indian government of using organized crime groups, specifically the Bishnoi gang, to target pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.
The allegation adds fuel to the ongoing dispute between Ottawa and New Delhi, which began last year when Canada accused Indian officials of involvement in the murder of Canadian citizen and Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
At a press conference, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin revealed that the Indian government allegedly employs criminal groups to target members of the South Asian community, with a specific focus on pro-Khalistan activists. “What we have seen, from an RCMP perspective, is that they use organized crime elements,” Gauvin said, further attributing these actions to the Bishnoi gang, which has been publicly linked to Indian agents.
The accusations have been strongly rejected by the Indian government, which labeled them as "preposterous" and politically motivated. This latest claim follows Ottawa’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats earlier this week and has deepened the diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
The RCMP claims to have gathered "clear and compelling evidence" linking Indian agents to these crimes, though specific details remain under wraps due to ongoing investigations. According to RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, the evidence reveals the “breadth and depth of criminal activity orchestrated by agents of the government of India,” which includes more than a dozen imminent threats to life, primarily targeting members of the pro-Khalistan movement—a Sikh separatist group. So far, 30 individuals have been charged in connection to these crimes, some of whom have alleged ties to Indian government officials.
Canada’s allegations of Indian interference have centered on activities involving violent crime and targeting of Sikh separatists, fueling ongoing concerns about foreign influence in Canadian domestic affairs. The RCMP stated that they are continuing investigations into the matter, with more evidence expected to surface.
Who was Hardeep Sindh Nijjar?
The killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023 was confirmed as one of the homicides linked to Indian government agents. Nijjar, designated a terrorist by New Delhi, was an active figure in the pro-Khalistan movement. Additional killings, including the September 2023 shooting of Sukhdool Singh in Winnipeg, are also suspected to be linked to Indian officials, according to reports, though this has not been independently confirmed.
The diplomatic standoff marks a new low in Canada-India relations, already strained by allegations of foreign interference, and further complicates the geopolitical landscape between the two nations.
