A diplomatic crisis between Canada and India has escalated dramatically, with Canada alleging that India’s Home Minister Amit Shah personally directed a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence gathering against Sikh separatists within Canada, The Associated Press reports.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison revealed this explosive accusation to Parliament members of the national security committee on Tuesday. Morrison confirmed to The Washington Post, which first reported the allegations, that he had personally verified Shah’s involvement. While Morrison did not disclose how Canada obtained this information, the statement marks a significant escalation in the already strained relationship between the two countries.
This allegation comes a year after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed Canada had credible evidence that Indian government agents were involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. This incident, along with subsequent allegations of other crimes targeting Sikh separatists, has led to a diplomatic standoff, culminating in the expulsion of top diplomats from both countries.
Canadian authorities have repeatedly stated that they have shared evidence of these alleged crimes with India, but Indian officials have consistently denied the claims, labeling them “absurd” and stating that no evidence has been provided. The Indian Embassy in Ottawa has yet to respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations against Shah.
Canada’s accusations go beyond the alleged involvement of Indian diplomats in coercion, intimidation, and violence targeting Sikh separatists, including the campaign for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. On October 14, Canada expelled the Indian high commissioner and five other diplomats, citing their status as persons of interest in these alleged crimes.
This incident mirrors a similar accusation by the United States Justice Department in mid-October, which charged an Indian government employee with involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City. The Justice Department alleged that Vikash Yadav, who allegedly orchestrated the plot from India, faces murder-for-hire charges. Prosecutors have stated that this plot was intended to precede a series of politically motivated murders in both the United States and Canada.
Further evidence presented to the national security committee by Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau’s national security advisor, revealed that Canada possesses information suggesting India first gathered intelligence on Indian nationals and Canadian citizens in Canada through diplomatic channels and proxies. This information was then allegedly passed to the government in New Delhi, which collaborated with a criminal network associated with Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious Indian criminal currently in prison. Drouin claimed that Bishnoi’s vast criminal network is linked to homicides, assassination plots, coercion, and other violent crimes in Canada.
Prior to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly announcing their investigation into the alleged criminal activities of Indian diplomats, Drouin stated that efforts were made to work with the Indian government to ensure accountability. This included a meeting between Canada’s national security advisor and Ajit Doval, India’s national security advisor, in Singapore just two days prior to the public announcement.
However, the decision to go public was made after it became clear that India would not cooperate with Canada on proposed accountability measures, including waiving diplomatic immunity for the persons of interest.
The RCMP, citing threats to public safety, justified their unprecedented public disclosure of ongoing investigations. India, denying all allegations, has expelled six Canadian diplomats in retaliation.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the slain Sikh activist, was a Canadian citizen who owned a plumbing business and led the Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Four Indian nationals residing in Canada have been charged with his murder and are currently awaiting trial.
The national security committee heard testimony from Drouin, Morrison, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, and the director of Canada’s spy service.
