Canada has revealed credible evidence implicating agents of the Indian government in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist, in British Columbia in June 2023. Nathalie Drouin, a senior Canadian official, stated that India gathered intelligence on Indian nationals and Canadian citizens in Canada through diplomatic channels and proxies.
This information was allegedly funneled to New Delhi and shared with a criminal network led by Lawrence Bishnoi. Bishnoi’s network has been associated with numerous violent crimes, including homicides, coercion, and assassination plots in Canada.
The situation has escalated following charges filed by U.S. authorities against a former Indian intelligence operative involved in a foiled murder-for-hire plot uncovered by the FBI. U.S. officials have repeatedly urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation and emphasize the need for accountability.
India-Canada Relations Deteriorate
The diplomatic rift between Canada and India continues to widen. Canada, a member of NATO, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, the G-7, and the G-20, has been met with resistance from India, which has taken a defiant stance. India appears confident that Canada’s economic leverage is limited, despite Canadian investments in India and the suspension of talks on a potential free trade agreement. Furthermore, India seems assured that other Western nations will not risk their growing strategic ties with New Delhi over this dispute.
Rising Tensions and Protests
The strained relations have led to public demonstrations, with recent pro-India protests in Canada blocking traffic and sparking fears of harassment or intimidation against Canadians. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has warned of potential state-sponsored cyberattacks, alleging that Indian-linked hackers may already be conducting cyber-espionage against Canada.
Calls for International Action
Given the deteriorating bilateral relations and growing threats, some experts and activists are urging Canada to take Nijjar’s case to the International Court of Justice. The move could amplify international scrutiny of the incident and increase pressure on India to address the allegations.
The unfolding situation underscores the complex and contentious dynamics between the two nations, with global implications for diplomatic and security relationships.
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