OTTAWA: Tensions between India and Canada have escalated further after pro-Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organisation, alleged that his group has been in touch with the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for several years, providing information about what he described as a “spy network” operated by Indian diplomats. Pannun’s claims come as diplomatic relations between the two countries are already strained over the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a televised appearance on Canadian broadcaster CBC News, Pannun accused Indian diplomats, including Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, of orchestrating Nijjar’s killing. He stated that the SFJ had been sharing intelligence with the Canadian PMO for the past 2-3 years, detailing Indian operations within Canada. According to Pannun, this intelligence was related to alleged Indian espionage activities, which he claims culminated in the assassination of Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani leader.
BIG: India’s designated Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s confession on Canadian National Broadcaster @CBCNews on direct links with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau since last three years, giving information against India on which Trudeau finally acted without evidence. pic.twitter.com/kIz4PZehDy
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 16, 2024
“You know what Prime Minister Trudeau did when he made that statement yesterday publicly…It shows Canada’s unwavering commitment to justice, the rule of law, and national security,” Pannun said in the video, referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s earlier statements on the case. “Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has been communicating with the Prime Minister’s office for the last two to three years, detailing all the spy network that Indian High Commissioner…,” he added, specifically naming Sanjay Verma.
However, in a striking admission, Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged that his government does not have any “hard proof” to substantiate claims that India was involved in Nijjar’s killing. While testifying before Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission, Trudeau explained that Canada’s position was based on intelligence, rather than concrete evidence. “At that point, it was primarily intelligence and not hard evidentiary proof,” he said, adding that Canada had asked India to cooperate in investigating the matter further. Trudeau stated that Canada had requested Indian security agencies to collaborate, but that India had demanded proof of the allegations.
The row between India and Canada intensified in recent days following the expulsion of six Indian diplomats by Canada, which accused them of being involved in a so-called “campaign of violence.” India retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats and summoning Canada’s Charge d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler, condemning the “baseless targeting” of Indian diplomats and officials in Canada. India has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “preposterous imputations” driven by Trudeau’s political agenda.
Pannun’s remarks have only served to inflame tensions. During his broadcast appearance, Pannun echoed previous claims by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that they had found links tying agents of the Indian government to violent acts in Canada, including homicides. However, both the RCMP and Prime Minister Trudeau have yet to provide concrete evidence to support these allegations.
Pannun, a vocal proponent of Khalistani separatism, also used the opportunity to question the loyalty of Indo-Canadians, accusing them of divided allegiances between Canada and India. He remarked, “These Indo-Canadians, who have family ties back home in India, are they loyal to the Canadian Constitution or do they still want to show their commitment to the Indian Constitution?” Pannun further criticised Indo-Canadian MPs for not publicly supporting Prime Minister Trudeau following his open statement on the Nijjar assassination in September 2023.
This is not the first time Pannun has made inflammatory comments. Last year, he courted controversy by urging Indo-Canadian Hindus to “leave Canada” and return to India, claiming they had “repudiated” their allegiance to Canada and its constitution.
The escalating diplomatic crisis between Canada and India has raised concerns about broader implications for international relations. India has categorically denied any involvement in Nijjar’s assassination, with Indian officials labeling the Canadian government’s accusations as politically motivated and rooted in domestic politics. Canada’s designation of Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Verma, as “persons of interest” in the Nijjar investigation has further strained the already delicate relations between the two nations.
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