The ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have taken another twist following a report by The Washington Post claiming a secret meeting was held between India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart. The meeting reportedly took place in Singapore amid accusations linking India to the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This diplomatic confrontation has escalated tensions, with both countries standing firm in their respective stances, as the revelations add complexity to the already strained relationship.
The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Connection
At the center of the controversy is Lawrence Bishnoi, an Indian gangster reportedly involved in orchestrating violent attacks from within his prison cell. According to the Washington Post report, during the secret meeting, Canadian officials claimed that India had allegedly enlisted networks associated with the Bishnoi gang to carry out attacks on Sikh separatists, including the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Bishnoi, a notorious figure in India’s criminal world, has often been accused of orchestrating violent activities from behind bars, and the Canadian side pointed to his gang’s involvement as part of India’s alleged proxy actions against separatist elements in Canada.
Doval initially feigned ignorance regarding Bishnoi’s involvement, but the report claims that he later acknowledged Bishnoi’s capacity to orchestrate violence from prison, with statements describing Bishnoi as being “up to no good from his jail cell.” This admission, if accurate, suggests India’s awareness of Bishnoi’s capabilities, further complicating the accusations from Canada.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Broader Diplomatic Conflict
The murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure, in June 2022 in Surrey, British Columbia, has been a critical point in India-Canada relations. Canada has consistently accused India of being involved in the killing, citing evidence of Indian intelligence services working in concert with criminal networks like Bishnoi’s. These allegations have strained ties between the two nations, with India categorically denying any involvement in Nijjar’s death or other violent acts targeting Sikh separatists in Canada.
The Washington Post article reveals that during the meeting, Canadian officials also warned Doval that details about India’s alleged role in the killings could surface as the trial of the four suspects in Nijjar’s murder is set to begin soon. This trial could publicly expose more about the involvement of criminal networks and intelligence operations, escalating tensions even further.
Diplomatic Fallout: Expulsions and Accusations
As the diplomatic standoff worsened, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, accusing them of direct involvement in gathering intelligence on Sikh separatists. The report claims these diplomats were link to coordinating proxy attacks on these figures. India, however,
has denied all these allegations, maintaining that it has no role in the attacks on Sikh separatists, including Nijjar’s killing.
The expulsion of Indian diplomats and Canada’s firm stance on these issues have deepened the diplomatic impasse between the two nations, impacting trade, visas, and cross-border relations. India’s refusal to admit any connection to the violence has created a deadlock in dialogue, with both sides entrenching their positions.
The Meeting in Singapore: What We Know
The secret meeting between Ajit Doval and Canadian security officials, including Security Adviser Nathalie Drouin and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison,
lasted for five hours. The Canadian side reportedly sought to persuade India to end what they described as an “escalating campaign of violence” against Sikh separatists in Canada. Despite the prolonged discussions, the report claims that Doval and his team remained firm in denying any Indian involvement in the Nijjar murder or other violent activities in Canada.
This meeting, now publicly revealed,
adds another layer of complexity to the already tense relations between the two countries. It highlights the increasing geopolitical challenges both nations face,
with Canada struggling to reconcile with the presence of pro-Khalistan separatist activities within its borders and India vehemently opposing any support for these movements.
Implications for India-Canada Relations
The revelations from this meeting signal further deterioration in India-Canada relations, which were already under immense strain. The accusations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder,
compounded by alleged ties to criminal networks like the Bishnoi gang, represent a significant hurdle for both governments. If Canada proceeds with its legal action against suspects in the Nijjar case, more sensitive details may emerge, potentially worsening the diplomatic deadlock.
For India, the challenge lies in navigating these accusations while maintaining its stance on Khalistan-related activities abroad. For Canada,
the balancing act of addressing pro-Khalistan sentiments without alienating its Indian diaspora remains critical. The upcoming trial and continued revelations from both sides will likely shape the future of India-Canada diplomatic relations in the months to come.
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Conclusion
As both India and Canada stand firm on their respective positions, the future of their diplomatic relationship remains uncertain. The Washington Post report adds more fuel to an already fiery dispute,
bringing criminal networks, intelligence operations, and political motives into the spotlight. The allegations surrounding the Bishnoi gang’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder further complicate an already sensitive issue.
The world will be closely watching as the trial of suspects in the Nijjar case unfolds and as both countries attempt to navigate this deepening diplomatic crisis. Whether a resolution can be reach, or the tensions will escalate further, remains to seen.
