Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intensified his allegations against India late Monday, claiming that New Delhi is “supporting criminal activity against Canadians” and engaging in “coercive behaviour targeting South Asian Canadians.” The remarks come amid an escalating diplomatic standoff between the two nations, marked by mutual expulsions of diplomats and heightened tensions.
This week, both countries ordered the departure of several diplomats in a tit-for-tat exchange following claims that “agents of the Indian government” were involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Khalistani activist, in June last year.
India has yet to respond to Trudeau’s latest statements but has consistently dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” emphasizing that no concrete evidence has been provided. On Monday, New Delhi reiterated that the Trudeau administration “has not shared a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests.”
Trudeau stated that he has shared information regarding the accusations with Canada’s intelligence allies, particularly the United States, through the Five Eyes partnership. He further alleged that the Indian government is collaborating with organized crime elements in Canada to gather information on Canadian citizens through “questionable and illegal means,” leading to violent acts such as extortion and murder.
“I think it is obvious the Government of India made a fundamental error in thinking they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians, here on Canadian soil. Whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts, it is absolutely unacceptable,” Trudeau declared.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that Canada had requested India’s cooperation on these matters but claimed that such requests have been “repeatedly refused.” “That is why… this weekend… Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) evidence, which concluded six agents of the Government of India are ‘persons of interest’ in criminal activities. And despite repeated requests to the Government of India, they have decided not to cooperate,” he added.
Trudeau’s allegations coincide with declining approval ratings and political challenges at home, as he recently survived a second parliamentary confidence vote ahead of the 2025 election.
Meanwhile, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin have issued warnings about a public safety threat but have provided limited details. They indicated that the RCMP possesses evidence linking certain individuals arrested for murder and extortion to the Indian government. Duheme urged Canadians facing “intimidation, harassment, coercion, or extortion, in any way or form,” to come forward.
In response, Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats, stating, “They must leave Canada.” Trudeau emphasized, “Let me be clear… the evidence brought to light by the RCMP cannot be ignored.”
India responded by withdrawing the six officials, citing security concerns. New Delhi has also escalated its criticism of the Trudeau government, describing the accusations against its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, as “ludicrous and deserving of contempt.”
The diplomatic rift between Canada and India continues to widen, raising concerns about the future of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two nations.
