In the midst of a tense diplomatic standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme suggested the possibility of Canadian criminals directing activities in India. Speaking at a parliamentary committee hearing on Tuesday, Duheme joined other Canadian officials to address the deteriorating relations between the two nations, sparked by Canada’s allegations against India concerning attacks on Sikh activists, which India has firmly denied as “baseless.”
Canada’s Diplomatic Accusations and Indian Response
The tensions between India and Canada escalated when Canadian MP Glenn Motz questioned Duheme on the potential of Canadian criminal influence in India, similar to alleged operations in Canada. “Is it possible that Canadian criminals are giving directions to operators in India?” Motz asked. Duheme confirmed the possibility, adding that working with Indian colleagues was crucial to address the issue collaboratively.
India, which classifies Sikh separatist activists or “Khalistanis” as security threats, recently withdrew its diplomats after Indian high commissioner Sanjay Verma was listed as a “person of interest” in Canada’s probe into the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and declared Khalistani terrorist by India. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
Widening Diplomatic Rift and Ongoing Investigations
The rift has only deepened, with Canada considering sanctions against India amid accusations involving Indian agents in “homicides, extortion, and violence” against pro-Khalistan supporters. Canadian authorities have even hinted at links between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and criminal activities on Canadian soil. While New Delhi continues to reject the accusations, the international community watches closely as diplomatic efforts seek to ease tensions between the two countries.
