Ottawa, March 20 (ANI) — Days after a high-profile Canadian visit to India and amid efforts to thaw relations strained by former PM Justin Trudeau’s public suggestion that New Delhi was linked to the killing of NIA‑designated suspect Hardip Nijjar, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said there is currently no evidence that Canadian residents face a threat from agents of the Indian government.
In a CTV interview, Duheme clarified comments he made in 2024, saying those remarks reflected the criminal investigation at that time and the briefing he had then. He added that ongoing investigations into transnational repression are complex and “the dots don’t always connect to a foreign entity.”
Duheme emphasized the RCMP’s focus on clandestine operations and transnational intimidation, urging the public to report incidents: if they are not reported, police have limited ability to act. He acknowledged that fear can prevent reporting but encouraged people to come forward if they see suspicious activity.
On public safety concerns following the return of Indian diplomats, Duheme said the RCMP’s current criminal information and investigations do not show a link to any foreign government. “We have people who are intimidating or harassing others, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity — we don’t have that,” he said.
Duheme also addressed the Bishnoi gang, blamed for extortion in Surrey, Brampton and Calgary, noting that not every extortion case is directly tied to the gang and that some individuals may be using the name. The RCMP operates a national coordination centre to analyze extortion cases and connect related investigations. He stated there are no confirmed ties between the gang’s criminal activity and the Government of India.
His remarks come as Canada and India work to restore diplomatic relations after 2023 tensions. This report is based on a syndicated feed (ANI) and is published as received.
