In a shocking move that is fanning growing tensions between Canada and India, Canadian officials have accused India Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, of sanctioning intelligence gathering operations against Canadians, particularly those with ties to Sikh separatist movements. The accusation is coming amid simmering tension between the two nations over allegations that Indian agents were behind the 2023 slaying of one British Columbia-based leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was seeking an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
Allegations against Amit Shah
The report, first carried by The Washington Post, cited Canadian officials directly implicating Indian Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, in a campaign of intimidation and violence against Sikh separatists. David Morrison, Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, confirmed Shah’s name in a Parliament Committee and hence revitalized attention toward the alleged activities of the Indian government inside Canada’s borders.
“I confirmed it was that person” Morrison told the Canadian National Security committee, underlining his role in confirming allegations that Shah had been involved in a wider campaign against Sikh separatist elements in Canada.
Expulsions and Diplomatic Strains
These allegations have led to serious diplomatic strides on the part of Canada:
- On October 14, it expelled six Indian diplomats over their alleged involvement in strong-arm tactics against Sikh activists in Canada. According to Canadian officials, these were the diplomats who were persons of interest in a number of incidents on the ground of stifling the Khalistani movement that has abrogated immense popularity among Sikhs in Canada.
- India dismissed the allegations and sent six Canadian diplomats packing in return, raising the diplomatic row another notch. Against the backdrop of this diplomatic fall-out, David Morrison and Nathalie Drouin, National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, have appeared before a parliamentary committee to give evidence of illegal intelligence activities and criminal networks operating in Canada with links to elements within the Indian government.
Linkages to Criminal Networks
According to Drouin, the intelligence that was gathered by the Indian diplomats in Canada was allegedly funnelled back to New Delhi. Canadian officials claimed that this intelligence exchange involved coordination with Lawrence Bishnoi, a criminal figure in India whose network is reputedly involved in a wide spectrum of violent crimes, including assassination plots. While currently imprisoned in India, Bishnoi still has international reach into Canada, with his network allegedly playing a role in targeting Sikh separatists.
Drouin said the Canadian government had demanded accountability from India over the alleged actions, including a request to waive diplomatic immunity for implicated diplomats. Indian officials resisted the move, prompting Canada to go public with their allegations of Indian involvement in the operations.
Public Safety Concerns
In light of the evidence and intensifying public threats, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) took the unprecedented step of making public investigations ongoing into alleged threats against Canadian residents active in the Sikh separatist cause. Unusual transparency underscores the gravity with which Canada is treating these allegations.
Present Studies and Global Consequences
The case has added an extra layer of complexity to the relations between Canada and India and brought into sharp focus the challenge of striking a balance between diplomatic ties with national security concerns. These constitute some very fundamental questions about the extent and implications of international intelligence operations on Canadian soil, particularly where such operations intersect with issues of the security and rights of Canadian citizens.
The unfolding case serves to underline the need for vigilance, coupled with transparency while dealing with foreign interference within the borders of Canada. The constant retaliatory action between Canada and India has raised the international community’s alarm at the awareness that this quid-pro-quo diplomatic dispute could blow further beyond both nations.
Diverted From The Real Aim
International tensions like these tend to create disturbances for people of both the nations living across the globe. And these act as a diversion for pious souls in pursuit of peace and happiness. While looking at the spiritual aspect, the primary goal of our human birth is attaining salvation by worshipping Supreme God Kabir. And in turn it gives us ultimate peace and happiness at the everlasting abode Satlok after our death.
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj, the one and only Complete Saint, granted the method of worship as described in our ancient scriptures for the worship of Supreme God Kabir. By this worship, peace and all sorts of happiness can be easily attained.
Detailed scripture based information is available on His (Sant Rampal Ji) website www.jagatgururampalji.org , alternatively you can order a free sacred book ‘Gyan Ganga’ for more info or watch videos at ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ at YouTube channel.
