In a fresh round of allegations, Canada has accused the Indian government of being directly involved in "serious criminal activities" on its soil. Although Ottawa has not provided any concrete evidence, it claims that Indian agents in Canada are collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistan elements.

This development comes amid news in India of the alleged involvement of Lawrence Bishnoi in the recent murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai.

Allegations of Links to Indian Government Agents

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) held a press conference on Monday night, where they provided updates on their investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist who was killed in Canada last year. The RCMP claimed that links had been established between Indian government agents and violent acts, including homicides, in Canada.

The investigation also implicated Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in the Nijjar case. The RCMP further alleged that Indian agents had coerced individuals and businesses in Canada and abroad to collect information, which was then used to target members of the South Asian community.

Organized Crime Involvement

During the press conference, Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin explained that the Indian agents, according to their investigation, were targeting pro-Khalistani individuals, using organized crime groups like the Bishnoi gang to carry out their objectives. The Bishnoi gang, a criminal group active across northern India, reportedly has a presence in Canada through its associates.

Canada's Safe Haven for Criminals?

India has long accused Canada of providing shelter to Khalistani separatists, including those involved in major acts of terrorism such as the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, which resulted in 329 deaths. Recently, Indian authorities have raised concerns about Canada becoming a safe haven for individuals with ties to organized crime, many of whom have roots in Punjab.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed these concerns earlier this year, pointing to Canada's lenient immigration policies that allow criminals from India to settle there. After the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, allegedly by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa also raised red flags about gangsters operating from Canada.

Trudeau's Statements and Diplomatic Tensions

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated the accusations against India, stating that his government had tried to work with New Delhi on the Nijjar case but had received no cooperation. However, India has consistently refuted these claims, demanding evidence to support the allegations.

The ongoing diplomatic row escalated on Monday when New Delhi recalled its top envoy to Ottawa and expelled six Canadian diplomats. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement criticizing Canada's "baseless" accusations and accusing Trudeau of playing vote-bank politics while failing to address the separatist movement within his country.

Despite these accusations, Canada has yet to provide any definitive proof linking Indian agents to the crimes.