Days after shocking allegations from the RCMP accusing Indian government agents of involvement in violent crimes across Canada, a senior Mountie has clarified that there is no immediate danger to the public, despite the unprecedented scale of the alleged criminal network.
During an interview for CBC’s Rosemary Barton Live, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin confirmed that the RCMP’s recent announcement was part of a long-planned proactive approach. She emphasized that while the criminal activities linked to Indian agents, including homicides, were widespread, they did not constitute an immediate threat to Canadians.
The RCMP’s bombshell announcement on October 14 accused Indian government agents of orchestrating violent acts in Canada, sparking diplomatic tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. This follows last year’s claims by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who linked the Indian government to the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
In the CBC interview, Gauvin said that before the allegations were made public, Canadian officials presented evidence to Indian law enforcement during high-level meetings. However, those efforts were unsuccessful, prompting the RCMP to go public, partly to correct false reporting in Indian media.
Gauvin expressed surprise at the scale of the alleged network and its links to the Indian government, calling the situation “extraordinary and unprecedented.” Despite the diplomatic fallout, including the expulsion of diplomats by both countries, Gauvin stressed that the RCMP’s goal remains to disrupt the threat and protect Canadians.
Earlier this week, the RCMP revealed that 22 individuals have been charged with extortion and eight with homicide, all allegedly connected to the Indian agents’ activities. The Mounties also said they have issued warnings to 13 Canadians who may be targeted by Indian operatives since September 2023.
The Indian government continues to deny the allegations, asserting that Canada has not provided sufficient evidence. Meanwhile, Sikh groups in British Columbia, including Gurkeerat Singh, spokesperson for the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, where Nijjar was president, expressed relief at the RCMP’s revelations, saying the allegations validate concerns that have persisted for decades.
Singh and other members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada are calling for Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto to be closed, arguing they are being used to gather intelligence that jeopardizes the safety of Canadian citizens. However, Indian consulates continue to function, and tensions between the two countries remain high.
The RCMP is urging the public to report any instances of transnational repression or threats related to foreign interference, which they believe will help disrupt ongoing criminal activities.