The United States has urged India to take seriously the claims that its officials may be linked to violent criminal activities in Canada and to cooperate with Canadian authorities, as tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi intensify.
Canadian political parties are now pushing for an emergency parliamentary investigation into the matter.
During a State Department briefing, spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment over India’s reluctance to work with Canadian investigators. Miller emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed the U.S. support, which marked a significant response from Canada’s international allies.
The accusations, which focus on the involvement of Indian diplomats and consular officials in organized crime targeting the South Asian community in Canada, were highlighted in separate announcements by Trudeau and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP linked Indian agents to at least three murders in the last two years, including those of pro-Khalistan activists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Sukhdool Singh Gill.
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India has rejected the claims as “absurd” and politically motivated. In response, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting India to expel six Canadian officials in retaliation.
In a separate case, U.S. officials brought attention to an Indian intelligence officer accused of planning to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. Although India assured U.S. authorities that it is investigating, full cooperation remains uncertain.
As both Canada and the U.S. work to preserve important geopolitical ties with India, these criminal cases have added strain to their relationships. However, Canada is keen to maintain diplomatic and economic channels, with Trade Minister Mary Ng affirming the need to keep commercial ties intact.
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Within Canada, opposition parties are urging the Trudeau government to take stronger steps to protect Canadian citizens. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has also called for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), describing the Hindu nationalist group as extremist.
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