Canada expels 6 Indian diplomats, RCMP alleges 'serious criminal activity'
India withdraws its envoy and other officials named as persons of interest in the probe
News ·
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, speaking at a news conference about allegations of violent criminal activity linked to agents of the Indian government, said Monday that among other things, 'investigations have revealed that Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada leveraged their official position to engage in clandestine activities.'
The RCMP announced on Monday that it has uncovered evidence of "serious criminal activity" occurring in Canada, allegedly involving agents of the Indian government.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, speaking to reporters in Ottawa, outlined four key findings from the investigation:
- Connections between Indian government agents and incidents of homicides and violent actions.
- The use of organized crime to create an atmosphere of fear, specifically targeting Canada’s South Asian community.
- Interference in Canadian democratic processes.
- Evidence that Indian diplomats and consular officials in Canada exploited their positions to engage in covert activities, including gathering intelligence for the Indian government, either directly or through intermediaries—some of whom acted voluntarily, while others were coerced.
The RCMP described the situation as "extraordinary," prompting it to make public details about ongoing investigations into the alleged use of various entities by Indian agents, both in Canada and abroad, to collect information.
Duheme further revealed that there have been "well over a dozen" credible, imminent threats against members of the South Asian community, particularly those aligned with the pro-Khalistan movement.
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn has reportedly tried to meet with Indian law enforcement officials to present evidence of Indian government agents' involvement in criminal activities in Canada.
'Violent, extremist threat in Canada'
After unsuccessful attempts, Flynn, along with National Security Adviser Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison, met with Indian government officials over the weekend.
"There is a violent, extremist threat in Canada that both Canada and India have been addressing for years," said Duheme. "However, these threats are now affecting the ability of both nations to collaborate."
A government source informed CBC News on Monday that Canada expelled six Indian diplomats after police gathered evidence suggesting these officials were involved in an Indian government-led "campaign of violence."
WATCH | RCMP alleges intimidation and extortion by agents of India:
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, who held a news conference on Monday about allegations that Indian agents were involved in crime in Canada, was asked to specify what the public safety threat is to Canadians.
The Washington Post earlier reported that the diplomats had been expelled. On Monday, India withdrew its envoy to Canada, along with other officials and diplomats named by Ottawa as persons of interest in an ongoing investigation, according to the Indian foreign ministry.
New Delhi dismissed the Canadian claims as "preposterous imputations," accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of pursuing a "political agenda" driven by "vote bank politics" in a diplomatic communication issued on Sunday.
The Indian foreign ministry further stated that it summoned the Canadian chargé d'affaires on Monday to protest the "baseless targeting" of Indian diplomats and officials, calling it "completely unacceptable."
"We have lost confidence in the current Canadian government's ability to ensure their safety. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials," the ministry said in a statement.
India also warned that it "reserves the right" to take further action in response to Canada's "support for extremism, violence, and separatism against India."
Tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa have remained high since September 2023, when Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada was "pursuing credible allegations" of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader earlier that year. India strongly denied the accusation, leading to a sharp diplomatic rift.
India has repeatedly stated that Canada has not provided any evidence to support its allegations.
In their first meeting since Canada publicly accused India of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh leader, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confronted the issue.
"This latest step is yet another instance of baseless claims without any supporting evidence. It is clear that under the guise of an investigation, there is a deliberate strategy to tarnish India's reputation for political gain," India’s foreign ministry stated.
The ministry also emphasized that "India reserves the right to take further actions in response to the Canadian government's ongoing attempts to fabricate allegations against Indian diplomats."
Additionally, it accused the Trudeau government of "intentionally allowing violent extremists and terrorists to operate freely, enabling them to harass, threaten, and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada."
Tensions escalated further in October 2023 when Canada withdrew over 40 diplomats from India after New Delhi requested a reduction in Ottawa’s diplomatic presence.
In June, a Canadian parliamentary committee, relying on intelligence agency reports, identified India and China as the primary foreign threats to Canada’s democratic institutions.
India's envoy to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, dismissed the report as politically motivated and influenced by Sikh separatist groups.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his hope that India would "engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter."
Following Canada's accusations, the U.S. alleged that Indian agents were involved in an assassination attempt against another Sikh separatist leader in New York in 2023. The U.S. indicted an Indian national who was allegedly acting on behalf of an unnamed Indian government official.
While India reacted angrily to Canada's allegations, its response to the U.S. was more measured. India expressed concern, distanced itself from the plot, and launched an investigation.
The assassination plots targeting Sikh separatist leaders in both Canada and the U.S. have strained their relationships with India. These tensions come at a time when Western nations are seeking closer ties with New Delhi to counter China's growing global influence.
Post a Comment