The head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Commissioner Mike Duheme, has urged members of Canada’s Sikh community to come forward with any information they may have as the RCMP investigates allegations linking the Indian government to violent activities in Canada. These activities include homicides, extortion, and intimidation.
Duheme emphasized the importance of safety in Canada, stating, “If people come forward, we can help them and I ask them to come forward if they can.” He added, “People come to Canada to feel safe, and our job as law enforcement is to make sure that they’re in an environment that is safe to live.”
Diplomatic Tensions Between Canada and India
These remarks come amidst escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, triggered by Canada’s allegations that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist and designated terrorist in India, in June 2022. India has firmly denied these accusations, branding them as “unsubstantiated” and a result of “vote-bank politics” in Canada, particularly with elections looming next year.
Allegations of Criminal Connections
During a recent press conference, Duheme claimed that Indian diplomats and consular officials have ties to criminal gangs in Canada, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to various violent crimes. He noted that the RCMP has charged eight individuals with homicide and 22 with extortion in relation to these investigations; however, no public evidence has been released to connect the Indian government to Nijjar’s murder.
Warnings to Canadians
Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin revealed that, since September 2023, 13 Canadians have been warned that they may be targets of harassment or threats from individuals connected to Indian agents.
India’s Strong Rebuttal
In response, India has robustly refuted Canada’s allegations, labeling them as politically motivated. Indian officials stated that no evidence has been provided by Canada concerning their involvement in the Nijjar case. They also criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for allegedly trying to appease pro-Khalistan groups and for exploiting the diplomatic rift for domestic political gain.
Retaliation and Diplomatic Fallout
India’s response has included the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including the Canadian High Commissioner to India, and a reduction in its diplomatic presence in Canada. These diplomats are expected to leave India by the weekend, and India has also announced the withdrawal of its own High Commissioner from Ottawa.
Ongoing Investigation
Despite the increasing diplomatic tensions, the RCMP has yet to publicly present concrete evidence to support its claims against Indian officials. Nevertheless, the police force has confirmed that it continues to gather information and that the investigation remains active.