(Image source from: Indiatoday.in)
India has raised concerns over Canada's handling of criminals linked to organized crime groups. The Indian government has alleged that Canada is reluctant to extradite individuals associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal organization based in India, who have committed crimes in Canada. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated that it is strange that people India requested to be deported are now committing crimes in Canada, for which India is being blamed. India has also mentioned that 26 extradition requests have been pending for a decade or more, and several provisional requests are also pending. The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have worsened since September 2023, largely due to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The Indian government has rejected the Canadian Prime Minister's accusation of India's involvement in Nijjar's murder, stating that there is no evidence linking the Indian government to the incident.
India has refuted the allegations made by Canada, stating that no evidence has been provided to support them. India has withdrawn its diplomats from Canada due to safety concerns, and Canada has responded by expelling some Indian officials. Despite the value India places on its strong trade and people-to-people ties with Canada, particularly given the large number of Indian students in Canada, the current situation has been entirely precipitated by the Canadian government. India has shown restraint despite the provocative steps taken by Ottawa. Additionally, the United States Department of Justice has named a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, referred to as 'CC1,' in an indictment over a failed plot to assassinate another Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The Indian government employee is being investigated by both the Indian authorities and the US government. A spokesperson from the US State Department, Matthew Miller, acknowledged that the two countries are conducting independent but coordinated investigations into the alleged plot. Miller also stated that a constructive meeting had occurred between the Indian investigative team and US officials. Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged during a public investigation that Canada lacked solid proof to support allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Nijjar last year. Trudeau revealed that his claims about India's involvement were based on intelligence rather than definitive evidence, while speaking at a public inquiry into alleged foreign interference in Canada's federal electoral processes and democratic institutions. Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police later stated that six Indian diplomats were allegedly involved in a plot to murder Nijjar and that the Bishnoi gang was connected to Indian government agents.
The Canadian government acknowledged that they had information about India's alleged involvement, but they lacked strong evidence. They suggested cooperating with Indian security agencies to investigate the matter further. Prime Minister Trudeau also raised the issue with Prime Minister Modi, who expressed concern about individuals in Canada who were critical of the Indian government, and requested that they be arrested.
