India refutes Canadian accusation of collaborating with mobsters to target Sikh separatists in Canada, as claimed by Canadian officials. The Indian government, led by External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, dismissed the allegations of working with mobsters in Canada to target Sikh separatists. Jaiswal went on to suggest that Canadian authorities have hindered India’s extradition efforts for these individuals to face charges in India.
The escalating diplomatic dispute unfolded as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and police officials accused Indian diplomats of collaborating with Indian organised crime groups to target Sikh separatists in Canada. They alleged that top Indian officials were passing information to these groups, leading to attacks on Sikh activists, including drive-by shootings, extortions, and even murder. The fallout from these accusations resulted in the expulsion of top diplomats from both countries.
Despite Canada forwarding evidence of the allegations to Indian authorities, the Indian government continues to deny any involvement. Jaiswal highlighted that Canada has not provided any evidence of attacks on Sikh activists, contradicting Trudeau’s statements of sharing information with Indian counterparts, to no avail. Moreover, India raised concerns about Canada’s failure to take action against Sikhs facing terrorism charges in India, with extradition requests pending for over a decade.
India has criticised Canada for its perceived leniency towards supporters of the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh homeland and is banned in India. The Royal Canadian Police identified India’s top diplomat and five others as persons of interest in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which further strained relations between the two countries. Nijjar, a prominent figure in the movement for a separate Sikh state, was fatally shot in British Columbia last year.
Four Indian nationals residing in Canada have been charged with Nijjar’s murder and await trial. The accusations and counter-accusations have underscored the complex diplomatic ties between India and Canada, sparking renewed tensions and calls for clearer communication and collaboration to address shared challenges.