Ottawa [Canada], March 20 (ANI): Days after Canadian PM Mark Carney’s India visit signified a thaw in Indo-Canada relations — strained after former PM Justin Trudeau linked the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardip Nijjar to India — the commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said there is no threat to Canadians from any agent linked to India.
In an interview with CTV, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said the dots do not connect to a foreign entity.
Duheme said, “Well, what I quoted in 2024 was based on the criminal investigation that we had at the time. The government official who made that quote, I’m not quite sure who briefed him. What I’m saying is that that particular file at that time, yes, I did say you had agents or proxies from the government. But what we’re seeing right now in transnational repression. the dots don’t always connect to a foreign entity.”
He emphasised the seriousness with which the RCMP treats clandestine operations and transnational repression: “We work closely with law enforcement from across the country to make sure that it’s a coordinated approach. But it’s important for people to report it. If it’s not reported, there’s little we can do. And I can appreciate sometimes that people are fearful of reporting it. But what I encourage people, if they see something, say something.”
Addressing public safety concerns for South Asian communities after the return of Indian diplomats, Duheme stated, “We’re not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity, based on the criminal information, the investigation that we have presently.”
He clarified, “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.”
On the Bishnoi gang, linked to extortion in Surrey, Brampton and Calgary, Duheme noted the complexity: “Not all extortion cases are linked directly to Bishnoi. I think you have people that use his name. We do also have a national coordination centre for all the extortion to make sure that we are able to connect the dots.” He stressed there are currently no confirmed links between the gang’s criminal activities and the Government of India.
The statement follows efforts to normalise India-Canada ties after strained relations in 2023 and comes as both countries work to restore diplomatic relations. (ANI)
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