India has rejected a Canadian media report alleging the involvement of two Indian officials in the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, stating that sensitive matters should be addressed through legal processes rather than public discussion.
Report Details and Allegations
The Globe and Mail reported Sunday, citing two anonymous sources – one in national security and another in law enforcement – that two officials previously stationed at India’s consulate general in Vancouver were allegedly connected to Nijjar’s death in June 2023.
India’s Response
P. Kumaran, secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, told a media briefing that India “categorically rejects allegations of involvement in trans-national violence or organised crime.” He described the claims as “baseless, politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence despite repeated requests.”
Kumaran emphasized that concerns of this nature “must be addressed through credible law enforcement and judicial processes and not through public or politicised narratives.” He noted that the criminal investigation into Nijjar’s killing is proceeding according to established legal procedures and has entered the pre-trial phase, leading to a full jury trial.
Officials Named in Report
The Globe and Mail report identified Kanwaljit Singh, a former visa officer, as having gathered information about Nijjar from the diaspora while facilitating visa processes. He was reportedly monitored by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) as an alleged undercover agent of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The report also named Manish, the former consul general in Vancouver, who is currently the envoy to Cyprus.
Singh was among six Indian officials and diplomats expelled by Canada in October 2024 over alleged involvement in violence.
Alleged Connections to Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
According to the report, information gathered by the two officials was allegedly transmitted to former RAW operative Vikash Yadav, who then communicated it to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which allegedly organized the killing. Yadav, a former CRPF officer, was removed from his post after being named by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with a plot to kill Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Pannun in New York.
Nijjar and Pannun Designated as Terrorists
Both Nijjar and Pannun have been designated as terrorists by India. Pannun organizes the so-called Khalistan Referendum, and Nijjar was its Canadian coordinator at the time of his death.
Bilateral Cooperation and Dialogue
India and Canada are currently engaged in an ongoing security and law and order dialogue. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Ottawa last month for talks. India’s high commissioner, Dinesh Patnaik, stated last month, “We have nothing to worry about on this account. We want to work with the Canadians to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Patnaik added that no evidence of an Indian link has been presented to date in the case, and that India would take action if any wrongdoing by Indian officials is discovered.
Past Allegations and Recent Meetings
Relations between India and Canada deteriorated in September 2023 when then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjar’s killing. India dismissed these accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a statement from the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office indicated that the leaders agreed to “advance bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement,” including addressing issues like the illegal flow of drugs and transnational organized criminal networks. Carney also “underscored that Canada will continue to take measures to combat transnational repression.”
Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to “rebuild strategic trust, strengthen institutional cooperation and anchor the relationship in mutual respect, sovereignty and democratic values,” according to Kumaran.
Senior officials from both countries are discussing security and law enforcement cooperation, with a work plan for cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues framed during a meeting in February.
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