Kamal Ghorui
Canadian law enforcement has found no evidence linking threats or criminal activity in the country to India, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has said, amid improving diplomatic ties between the two nations.RCMP commissioner Mike Duheme said ongoing investigations have not established any connection between alleged intimidation or harassment cases and the Indian government.“We’re not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information, the investigation that we have presently,” he said in an interview with CTV, reported ANI.
He added, “What we have in our holdings is we have people that are intimidating people, harassing people, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity, We don’t have that.”The remarks come months after a diplomatic row between India and Canada, triggered when former prime minister Justin Trudeau linked the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar to Indian agents, an allegation New Delhi had strongly denied.Duheme clarified that earlier statements in 2024 were based on the evidence available at the time but current findings do not indicate a foreign link. “Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time… what we’re seeing right now in transnational repression… the dots don’t always connect to a foreign entity,” he said.He also addressed concerns within South Asian communities following the return of Indian diplomats, reiterating that there is no evidence at present pointing to involvement by India.On criminal activities linked to the Bishnoi gang, Duheme said not all extortion cases can be attributed to the group and cautioned that some individuals misuse the gang’s name. He added that there is no confirmed link between such activities and the Government of India.The RCMP chief emphasised the need for public cooperation in tackling such crimes. “We work closely with law enforcement from across the country to make sure that it’s a coordinated approach… if they see something, say something,” he said. The development comes shortly after Canadian prime minister Mark Carney visited India, signalling efforts by both countries to stabilise relations after tensions escalated in 2023.
