Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasized the ongoing importance of addressing security concerns related to India, despite recent statements from an unnamed government official suggesting a shift in Ottawa’s perspective on foreign interference and transnational repression involving the country.
Speaking after an event near Parliament Hill, Anandasangaree acknowledged the need to continue efforts in safeguarding Canadians. The unidentified official, briefing reporters ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade mission, indicated the government’s belief in India’s altered behavior.
Anandasangaree, overseeing the RCMP and CSIS, hinted at further necessary actions, suggesting there is more work to be done. The official’s assertions mark a departure from Canada’s stance around a year and a half ago when six Indian diplomats were expelled following RCMP identification as “persons of interest.”
In a significant statement in 2024, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme disclosed compelling evidence implicating the top echelons of the Indian government in orchestrating violent activities within Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier pointed to evidence connecting Indian agents to the assassination of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Contradicting these claims, New Delhi has consistently denied any involvement. Recent developments saw Canadian Sikh activist Moninder Singh receiving a fourth warning letter from Vancouver police regarding credible threats to his life, given his association with Nijjar.
The 202 report from the foreign interference inquiry labeled India as the “second-most active” country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada after China, casting doubt on the notion that India’s interference has ceased.
Anandasangaree underscored the need to address longstanding issues through appropriate security channels and legal processes rather than political avenues. Meanwhile, Carney’s diplomatic efforts aim to normalize relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a crucial figure in the global economy.
Responding to the official’s remarks, Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal criticized what he perceived as a minimization of India’s transnational repression. Dhaliwal highlighted contradictions with assessments from national security agencies and called for a review of the individual’s conduct and suitability for their role.
