Canada’s Prime Minister Carney Begins India Trip Amidst Easing Tensions Over Alleged Interference
New Delhi – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai today, beginning a trade-focused trip to India, Australia and Japan, as a senior government official indicated a shift in Canada’s assessment of potential threats emanating from India. The visit, starting February 27th and continuing until March 7th, comes after a period of strained relations sparked by allegations of Indian government involvement in violence on Canadian soil.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity at a press briefing Wednesday, stated the Canadian government now believes India has halted clandestine operations linked to previous incidents. This assessment marks a significant change from last fall, when Canada expelled six Indian diplomats following allegations of Indian government connection to the June 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist in Surrey, British Columbia.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigation into Nijjar’s death implicated individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, allegedly acting on direction from an Indian intelligence officer. Further investigations revealed potential links to a plot targeting another Canadian citizen within the United States.
“We have a very robust diplomatic engagement…and we’re confident that that activity is not continuing,” the official said, adding that the trip would not be taking place if those concerns remained.
However, the assertion has been met with skepticism. The World Sikh Organization of Canada released a statement calling the official’s comments “utterly false,” citing ongoing reports of surveillance, harassment, and intimidation experienced by Sikh Canadians.
Vancouver police recently warned Moninder Singh, a Canadian Sikh activist, of an imminent threat to his safety and that of his family – the fourth such warning since 2022.
Despite the lingering concerns, Carney’s trip signals a desire to reset the relationship with India, particularly as Canada seeks to diversify its trade partnerships and reduce reliance on the United States. The Canadian government has been actively courting India for a trade deal.
The shift in tone comes after a period of heightened tensions, with Canadian national security agencies believing India initiated a campaign in 2022 to target activists in North America who support Khalistan, a movement advocating for an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region.
The government official declined to provide a specific timeline for when India allegedly ceased these activities, stating only that “systematic engagement” at all levels of government had taken place.
Anita Anand, Canada’s Foreign Minister, addressed the report regarding the cessation of threats, but further details were not immediately available.
