The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has leveled serious allegations against Indian diplomats and agents, accusing them of utilizing a variety of Canadian entities, as well as international connections, to collect sensitive information. According to the RCMP’s statement released on Monday, Indian agents allegedly targeted members of the South Asian community through covert intelligence-gathering operations.
These agents are said to have used businesses and individuals both within Canada and abroad, some reportedly coerced or threatened, to gather critical data. This information was allegedly used to target specific individuals in the South Asian diaspora, a community already feeling vulnerable amidst growing tensions.
India has strongly dismissed these allegations, denouncing them as part of a broader attempt by Canada to malign Indian officials. The already strained relations between the two nations escalated further on Monday, when India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its High Commissioner from Ottawa.
New Delhi has maintained its “core issue” with Canada remains the alleged support given to separatists, extremists, and anti-India elements, including those with ties to Sikh extremism. These tensions were further exacerbated by Ottawa’s linking of an Indian envoy to an ongoing investigation into the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh extremist killed earlier this year.
According to the RCMP, they presented evidence of these clandestine operations directly to Indian government officials, urging cooperation in addressing these threats. The Canadian law enforcement agency claims Indian diplomats in Canada abused their positions to engage in espionage activities, collecting intelligence either directly or through proxies.
The RCMP said it remains committed to protecting the safety and security of Canadian citizens and the South Asian community, declaring that any form of harassment or intimidation will not be tolerated.
The RCMP is hopeful that through collaboration with the Indian government and agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), they can strengthen the safety and security of Canadian citizens. However, with both countries locked in a diplomatic standoff, the road to resolution appears fraught with challenges.
As the tension between Canada and India continues to rise, the fallout from these allegations could further complicate the already delicate relationship between the two nations. With both sides firmly holding their ground, a peaceful resolution to these claims of espionage and targeting remains uncertain.
