In the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, India has raised concerns over Canada’s way of dealing with criminals linked to organized crime. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal today slammed Canada’s reluctance to extradite individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious India-based criminal organization involved in crimes in Canada.
Mr Jaiswal said, “We find it really strange that the people whom we had asked to be deported, the Canadian police are now claiming that these people are committing crimes in Canada, for which India is being blamed. Is.” On India’s extradition requests, Mr Jaiswal said, “26 are pending for a decade or more. Several potential requests are also pending.”
Reading Justin Trudeau’s big statement amid India-Canada diplomatic confrontation
Since September 2023, diplomatic relations between India and Canada have deteriorated, mainly due to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of involvement in the killing, a claim India has categorically rejected. Mr. Jaiswal recently confirmed India’s position during a press conference, saying that despite Canada’s multiple allegations, there is “no evidence” linking the Indian government to Nijjar’s murder.
Mr Jaiswal said, “We have made our position very clear through various press releases. Since September 2023, no evidence has been provided, and last night, we issued another press release reiterating our stance. ” “So far Canada has not provided any evidence to support its allegations. Their allegations are politically motivated. A clear pattern of defaming India for reasons best known to them.”
Apart from rejecting the allegations, India recently recalled its diplomats from Canada citing security concerns, following which Canada expelled several Indian officials, further straining the relationship.
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“We value our strong trade ties with Canada and the ties between our people, especially given the large number of Indian students in Canada. But the current situation is entirely generated by the Trudeau government,” Mr. Jaiswal pointed out, adding that Canada benefits from these relations and that India has shown restraint despite provocative steps taken by Ottawa.
Former RAW officer ‘no longer on the job’
On a related note, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) today indicted a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, popularly known as ‘CC1’, in its indictment on charges of conspiracy to murder another Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Has been named. , The United States confirmed that the individual is “no longer employed by the Government of India.”
Mr Jaiswal today confirmed the US claim by confirming that the man is no longer an employee of the Indian government.
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US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed during a press conference that both India and the US are conducting separate but coordinated investigations into the conspiracy. Miller said that a ‘productive meeting’ took place between the Indian investigating committee and US officials.
Justin Trudeau’s entry
In a shocking admission during a public inquiry, Prime Minister Trudeau admitted that Canada had no “hard evidence” to support allegations linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s murder last year.
Speaking during a public inquiry into alleged foreign interference in Canada’s federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, Mr Trudeau revealed that his claims about India’s involvement were based on intelligence rather than conclusive evidence.
“I was briefed on the fact that there was intelligence from Canada and possibly from the Five Eyes allies that made it quite clear, incredibly clear that India was involved… Indian government agents were involved in the assassination A Canadian on Canadian soil,” he said.
Nijjar, a terrorist designated by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia in June 2023. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) later said that six Indian diplomats were allegedly part of a conspiracy. Kill Nijjar. Canadian police also suggested that the Bishnoi gang was linked to agents of the Indian government.
Mr. Trudeau said Canada had the option to make the allegations public during the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, but did not do so.
Recalling Canada’s exchange with India, Mr. Trudeau said, “Our response was, OK, that’s within your security agencies.” “At that time, it was mainly intelligence, not hard evidence. So we said, let’s work together and look at your security services.”
Mr Trudeau said he confronted Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit and claimed Canada was aware of India’s alleged involvement. According to Mr. Trudeau, PM Modi’s response was to express concern about individuals criticizing the Indian government in Canada and to request that they be arrested.
