The diplomatic crisis between India and Canada has taken a dramatic turn as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has leveled serious accusations against the Indian government. In a press conference held in Ottawa on Monday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gaubin alleged that Indian ‘agents’ are collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal organization, to spread terror on Canadian soil.
This accusation, delivered without any supporting evidence, has sent shockwaves through both countries. It comes just hours after India withdrew its diplomats from Canada, signaling a severe deterioration in bilateral relations. The move follows a series of escalating tensions between the two nations, primarily centered around the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
The RCMP’s claims are particularly alarming given the recent alleged involvement of the Bishnoi gang in the murder of Baba Siddique, a prominent politician from Maharashtra, in Mumbai. While the Indian authorities are investigating Siddique’s killing, the Canadian allegations further implicate the Bishnoi gang and its alleged connections to Indian ‘agents’.
The Canadian allegations stem from earlier accusations against Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, who were labeled ‘persons of interest’ in the investigation of Nijjar’s murder. These accusations, reported by The Washington Post, cited intercepted communications and other intelligence suggesting that Nijjar’s killing was part of a larger campaign targeting Indian dissidents, allegedly orchestrated by senior Indian officials and operatives from the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s intelligence agency.
Adding fuel to the fire, the report also alleged that India was using the Bishnoi gang for such operations. According to the report, Indian diplomats in Canada were gathering intelligence on suspected Khalistani separatists, which was then passed on to RAW to help identify targets for attacks carried out by the Bishnoi syndicate, which reportedly has a strong presence in Canada.
India, in response to the mounting accusations, summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires after receiving a diplomatic communication from Canada regarding the Nijjar killing. This followed a tense standoff between the two countries after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s murder in September 2023. India vehemently rejected Trudeau’s accusations as ‘absurd’.
The current situation presents a grim picture of the strained relationship between India and Canada. With both sides making serious allegations without providing concrete evidence, the diplomatic crisis is likely to deepen further, potentially leading to significant consequences for bilateral ties and regional security. The international community will be watching closely as this unfolding drama plays out.