Trudeau Aides Communicated with US Paper Before "Bishnoi Gang Links" Claim

Photo : PTI

Two senior aides of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly shared sensitive information regarding India's alleged interference in Canada with a U.S. outlet. This revelation comes in light of ongoing tensions between Canada and India, especially following Trudeau's unsubstantiated claims of Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani separatist, last year.

The aides, National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Minister of Global Affairs David Morrison, are said to have briefed a U.S. outlet on India’s purported actions days before Canadian federal police made their allegations public. Trudeau has previously claimed that “agents” of the Indian government are working with criminal gangs in Canada to target South Asians, particularly those supportive of Khalistani movements.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duhene and his deputy, Brigitte Gauvin, held a press conference where they stated their belief that Indian operatives have ties with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which they allege is involved in Nijjar's murder as well as various criminal activities including extortion and intimidation.

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In response to these allegations, India dismissed Trudeau's claims as "preposterous," asserting that the Canadian government has failed to provide any evidence despite numerous requests since the allegations first surfaced in September 2022. Last week, Trudeau admitted to a commission of inquiry that he had only speculative intelligence and no concrete proof linking Indian agents to Nijjar's killing.

A Canadian publication reported that Drouin and Morrison shared their concerns about India’s alleged interference, particularly in relation to the killing of Sukhdool Gill, another Sikh leader with connections to the Khalistani movement. Gill was killed just two days after Trudeau made his accusations regarding Nijjar's death. While Drouin and Morrison claimed no confidential information was disclosed, they referenced an unsealed U.S. indictment that did not specifically name Gill or any Canadians targeted for assassination.

The U.S. outlet was reportedly instructed to withhold information until the RCMP held their press conference, during which the officers claimed to possess evidence—though none was provided due to the ongoing investigation—linking some Indian diplomatic staff to organized crime in Canada.

Following the RCMP's announcements, Trudeau reiterated his accusations against the Indian government, asserting that India had fundamentally erred by allegedly supporting criminal activities on Canadian soil. This escalating diplomatic spat led to both nations expelling diplomats: India expelled Canada's High Commissioner and five staff members, citing Trudeau's designation of Sanjay Verma as a person of interest in the investigation.

Canadian authorities have arrested four individuals in connection with Nijjar's killing and charged approximately 30 others with alleged ties to the Indian government. Amid these developments, Trudeau faces mounting political pressure, with critics accusing him of pandering to Khalistani separatists in Canada as his popularity wanes ahead of the upcoming 2025 elections.

The strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi have drawn the attention of the United States, which has remained neutral but has called for cooperation between the two nations. The U.S. is currently investigating an ex-Indian spy linked to an alleged murder-for-hire plot against Gurpatwant Pannun, another figure associated with the Khalistani movement. Nijjar was identified as a key figure in the Khalistan Tiger Force, a banned terrorist organization in India, and was on the government’s list of most wanted criminals for his involvement in several violent acts, including the murder of a Hindu priest in Punjab.

As the situation continues to unfold, both Canada and India face significant challenges in navigating the complexities of their diplomatic relations, with increasing scrutiny from the international community and growing calls for transparency and accountability.