Mumbai/New Delhi – Prime Minister Mark Carney’s upcoming visit to India, beginning February 27th, is proceeding against a backdrop of cautiously optimistic signals from Ottawa regarding a potential de-escalation in tensions with New Delhi. A senior Canadian government official stated Wednesday that Ottawa believes India has ceased plotting attacks on Canadian soil, a significant shift from the accusations leveled in recent months.
The official, speaking on background to reporters ahead of Carney’s trade mission to Mumbai and New Delhi, indicated a growing confidence that the clandestine operations linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, last June have been halted. “We have a very robust diplomatic engagement, including between national security advisers, and I think we can say we’re confident that that activity is not continuing or we would not be having this type of discussion,” the official said. While declining to elaborate on specific intelligence assessments, the official suggested the continuation of such activities would have precluded the Prime Minister’s trip.
The shift in tone comes after a period of heightened diplomatic strain following allegations by Canadian authorities that agents of the Indian government were involved in the assassination of Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist and advocate for the Khalistan movement. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigation implicated individuals linked to the Indian government, including alleged ties to gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi, who authorities believe was contracted to carry out the hit. An Indian intelligence officer was also reportedly implicated in a separate plot to target a Canadian citizen residing in the United States.
In the wake of the allegations, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats. However, the Carney government has since prioritized rebuilding economic ties with India, viewing the country as a key partner in diversifying trade and reducing reliance on the United States, particularly given the protectionist policies of the current U.S. Administration.
The official’s comments were met with skepticism from some quarters. The World Sikh Organization of Canada issued a statement calling the assertion that India had ceased its activities “utterly false,” arguing that it does not reflect the experiences of Sikh Canadians who report ongoing surveillance, harassment, and intimidation. The organization pointed to a recent duty to warn letter issued by Vancouver police to Moninder Singh, a Canadian Sikh activist, alerting him to a credible threat against his life, his wife, and their children – the fourth such warning since 2022.
Despite the ongoing concerns, the Canadian government maintains it has established “robust safeguards” to prevent foreign interference. “We have a mature, robust discussions with the government of Indian on these issues,” the official stated. “And we have robust safeguards in place to avoid foreign interference.”
The RCMP investigation into Nijjar’s murder continues, and Commissioner Mike Duheme previously announced that the force had linked the Indian government to a broader pattern of violence targeting pro-Khalistan activists. The alleged campaign, which Canadian national security agencies believe began in 2022, aimed to suppress support for an independent Sikh state in the Punjab region of India.
Meanwhile, Canada is also pursuing a separate legal matter involving Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a Pakistan-born businessman accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Immigration officials are seeking to revoke Hussain’s Canadian citizenship, alleging he misrepresented his residency status during the application process. Documents obtained by Global News show that Hussain claimed to have lived primarily in Canada between 1997 and 2001, while an RCMP investigation determined he spent the majority of that time in Chicago, operating businesses and properties there.
The revocation decision centers on accusations of “a serious and deliberate deception,” arguing that Hussain’s misrepresentation led immigration officials to wrongly grant him citizenship. Hussain is currently in custody in India, facing trial on charges related to his alleged involvement in facilitating the Mumbai attacks carried out by the Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.
The timing of both developments – the apparent easing of tensions regarding transnational repression and the move to revoke Hussain’s citizenship – coincides with Carney’s visit, signaling a complex and multifaceted approach to Canada-India relations. While the government expresses confidence in a shift in India’s behavior, concerns remain regarding the safety and security of Canadian citizens, particularly within the Sikh community. The Prime Minister’s trip is expected to focus on strengthening trade ties, but the shadow of past allegations and ongoing investigations will undoubtedly loom large over the discussions.