Canadian Sikh group criticizes India after report on 2023 Nijjar assassination

A report by The Globe and Mail, citing unnamed Canadian law enforcement and national security sources, alleges that Indian consular officials in Vancouver were involved in the 2023 assassination of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The report outlines a chain of alleged coordination. According to the unnamed sources, a visa officer at the Indian consulate in Vancouver—believed to be affiliated with India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)—used his position "to gather information" about Nijjar. This intelligence was reportedly passed to another RAW officer in New Delhi, who then coordinated with the Bishnoi gang, a criminal organization in Canada. "A Canada-based member of the gang then helped arrange the killing," the report said.

The Globe and Mail concluded that Indian consular staff "supplied information to assist in the assassination."

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) said it was "deeply disturbed" by the report and described the alleged actions as "a grave attack on Canadian sovereignty and the safety of Sikh Canadians." The group also criticized the Canadian government's recent assessment that India is no longer a threat, saying: "The statement … does not reflect the reality being experienced by members of the Sikh community across Canada."

India has rejected the allegations. Periasamy Kumaran, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, said India "categorically rejects allegations of involvement in transnational violence or organised crime." He added, "These claims are baseless, politically motivated and unsupported by credible evidence despite repeated requests."

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand declined to comment on specific allegations, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. "There is an active investigation that is ongoing and it would be irresponsible for me to comment, to probe, to discuss any matter that is the subject of an ongoing investigation," she said. Anand confirmed that Canada and India will "continue to collaborate on national security and law enforcement" and emphasized that authorities will "continue to ensure that we are addressing all instances of foreign interference and transnational repression."

The report comes amid efforts by the Canadian government to balance human rights concerns with economic and trade priorities. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently completed a visit to India to diversify trading partners and pursue agreements on a comprehensive trade pact and uranium trade.

Before Carney's trip, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadian authorities were investigating "credible allegations of a potential link" between the Indian government and Nijjar's death. Some Sikh activists have criticized the current government's softened stance, arguing that it reflects a "U-turn" that prioritizes trade over human rights.

India continues to reject all allegations of involvement in transnational violence, describing them as "baseless" and politically motivated, while urging Canada to address what it views as threats to Indian national security from pro-Khalistan movements in Canada.