IndiaRelations – Canada Signals No Ongoing India Link to Violence
IndiaRelations – Canada’s federal government has said it no longer believes that India is connected to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil, marking a notable change in tone as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for an official visit to India.
The reassessment was shared by senior officials during a background briefing with journalists ahead of the prime minister’s nine-day trip, which includes scheduled meetings in Mumbai and New Delhi. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Ottawa is now confident that any previously suspected activities tied to India are not continuing.
Government Signals Diplomatic Re-engagement
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one senior official described ongoing communication channels between the two governments as “robust,” including dialogue at the level of national security advisers. The official suggested that the strengthened engagement has helped address earlier concerns.
The comments indicate that Canadian authorities do not currently see evidence of active foreign interference or violent actions linked to India. Officials made clear that the planned visit would not be moving forward if security agencies believed such activities were still underway.
Carney’s trip is being presented as part of a broader effort to pursue a pragmatic foreign policy approach and expand economic cooperation with India, now the world’s most populous country and a key Indo-Pacific partner.
Fallout From the Nijjar Killing
Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi deteriorated sharply after the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia. Months later, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament that Canadian intelligence had uncovered credible evidence suggesting involvement by agents of the Indian government. New Delhi strongly rejected the accusation.
The dispute triggered reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and months of strained relations. In 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police publicly stated that it was investigating allegations linking Indian government agents to serious criminal acts, including threats and potential involvement in homicides.
This week’s briefing, however, signals that Canadian officials believe the situation has evolved since those earlier assessments.
Criticism From Sikh Activists
The government’s updated position has drawn concern from some Sikh community leaders. Moninder Singh, a religious figure based in British Columbia, told the Toronto Star that Vancouver police had recently warned him of a possible threat to his life and the safety of his family. He said it was the fourth such alert he had received since Nijjar’s death.
Demonstrators affiliated with Sikhs for Justice also gathered on Parliament Hill, urging the government not to soften its stance toward India. The group continues to advocate for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland.
Former national security adviser Jody Thomas has previously argued that while Canadian intelligence agencies may have sufficient information to assign responsibility, legal standards for public disclosure differ from those in the United States. She has maintained that security concerns remain unresolved and require continued attention.
Security Cooperation Expands
Despite lingering tensions, both governments appear to be prioritising structured cooperation. India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has called for disputes to be managed through dialogue rather than public escalation.
Recent meetings between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, have resulted in what officials describe as a comprehensive action plan. Areas of focus include tackling transnational organised crime, fentanyl trafficking, violent extremism, cybercrime and immigration fraud.
Canada’s international trade portfolio has also highlighted the appointment of liaison officers to improve coordination on criminal investigations, reflecting a parallel push to rebuild trust while strengthening law enforcement collaboration.
A Broader Strategic Shift
The renewed diplomatic engagement comes as Canada seeks to diversify its global trade relationships and reduce reliance on the United States. Strengthening ties with India, one of the fastest-growing major economies, is viewed in Ottawa as part of that recalibration.
While segments of Canada’s Sikh community remain wary, federal officials argue that sustained dialogue and practical security arrangements have created space for a cautious reset. Carney’s upcoming meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to test whether both sides can move beyond a turbulent chapter while managing domestic sensitivities and ongoing investigations.