The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Thursday that India had formally requested Canada to apprehend members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang; however, it did not address New Delhi’s fundamental concerns. The MEA has also dismissed the “false imputations against our diplomats” articulated by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
We made several requests to the Canadian authorities regarding the apprehension of individuals associated with Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. No measures have been implemented regarding our fundamental concerns. Today, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal articulated that there exists a political motive underlying this matter.
Recognising the absence of “hard evidentiary proof” and relying solely on intelligence, Justin Trudeau stated on Wednesday that Canada had clear indications of Indian government agents’ involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, asserting that India had violated Canadian sovereignty.
In light of Trudeau’s acknowledgement, the MEA emphasised that Canada has not provided any evidence to New Delhi substantiating the claim of Indian agents’ involvement in the murder.
Our stance on this specific issue has been articulated with utmost clarity. Multiple press releases have been disseminated over the past two days to articulate our stance. Since September 2023, the Canadian government has not provided us with any information. Yesterday, following another public inquiry and hearing, a statement was released indicating that Canada has presented serious allegations; however, it has yet to provide any supporting evidence. Regarding the allegations, Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent admission significantly undermines the validity of our position. “We reject false imputations against our diplomats,” stated Jaiswal.
While testifying before the public inquiry into foreign interference, Justin Trudeau asserted on Wednesday that Indian diplomats had been gathering information on Canadians who oppose the Narendra Modi government and relaying it to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The Bishnoi gang has gained infamy in India due to a series of prominent murders.
Last week, Canada informed New Delhi that senior diplomats from the latter were considered “persons of interest” in the Nijjar murder case. In a calculated move, New Delhi retracted its diplomatic personnel from Canada and expelled Canadian officials from its territory.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Canada acknowledged that the nation possessed only intelligence rather than concrete evidence regarding India’s purported involvement in the assassination of Nijjar.
“The statements made today merely reinforce our longstanding position—Canada has failed to provide any evidence to substantiate the grave allegations it has directed towards India and its diplomats,” Jaiswal remarked Thursday morning.
