Canadian MP Challenges Government Claims as Prime Minister Visits India Amid Interference Concerns
NEW DELHI – As Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai Friday en route to meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Liberal Member of Parliament publicly challenged assertions by a senior government official that India has ceased its interference activities in Canada. Sukh Dhaliwal, whose Surrey-Newton riding has been at the center of alleged Indian government operations, denounced the official’s claims as out of touch with reality.
Dhaliwal’s strong rebuke comes after a government official, speaking on background to reporters, stated that India had halted actions that prompted Ottawa to cool relations with Modi’s government. The official’s comments marked the first time Canada had suggested a cessation of Indian intelligence operations linked to at least one murder and multiple alleged plots targeting pro-Khalistan activists.
“I strongly condemn these statements made by this official because he’s not in touch with the realities on the ground,” Dhaliwal told Global News Thursday. “I’m dealing with the community and the victims almost on a regular basis. And this is totally irresponsible.”
The MP’s concerns are echoed by community members who continue to report ongoing interference, and are at odds with assessments from Canada’s National Security Advisor, the RCMP, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Dhaliwal added.
The dispute unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tensions stemming from the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Canadian authorities believe the killing was linked to agents of the Indian government. The RCMP has also linked India’s government to a broad array of violence targeting pro-Khalistan activists.
Dhaliwal revealed he believes he himself was targeted during the last federal election, but noted that many victims are reluctant to come forward, fearing repercussions for their families in India. He described pressure tactics ranging from diplomatic pressure to outright coercion.
“It’s very hard for them to come out and publicly speak. And basically, they are pressured, either diplomatically or forcibly,” he said.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada called the government official’s comments “utterly false,” stating they do not reflect the experiences of Sikh Canadians.
On X, formerly Twitter, former CSIS analyst Jessica Davis questioned the government’s assessment, writing, “Either the government is naively believing India, or it is misleading Canadians.”
https://x.com/sukhdhaliwal/status/2027054708645319017?s=20
Dhaliwal has called for an investigation into the judgment of the official who made the claims, questioning their suitability for their role.
Carney’s visit to India is aimed at securing a trade deal to offset U.S. tariffs, but critics, including NDP MP Heather McPherson, argue that national security should take precedence.
“Mark Carney’s approach to India disregards warnings from law enforcement and the lived realities of Sikh Canadians who continue to face threats and intimidation,” McPherson wrote on X.
https://x.com/HMcPhersonNDP/status/2027090956537782393?s=20
Former Liberal MP Herb Dhaliwal urged Carney to prioritize bringing those responsible for Nijjar’s murder to justice, emphasizing that justice and human rights are paramount for Canadians.
