Canada-India Relations Strain as Trudeau Accuses India of Criminal Nexus

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims of an alleged nexus between Indian diplomats and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have further strained diplomatic relations with India. Trudeau, during a public inquiry, accused Indian officials of gathering information on Canadian critics of the Modi government and sharing it with criminal gangs, particularly Bishnoi's notorious group, known for involvement in high-profile crimes in India. The claims follow the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, in Vancouver in 2023, a case that has sparked significant diplomatic friction between Canada and India. According to Trudeau, Indian intimidation tactics extend beyond the Sikh community, targeting those opposing Modi’s government on Canadian soil. While Trudeau acknowledged that his intelligence lacks "hard evidentiary proof," his government insists India violated Canada's sovereignty. India, however, has rejected the allegations, with its Ministry of External Affairs stating that no evidence has been presented to support these serious claims. The MEA laid the blame for damaged ties solely on Trudeau’s “cavalier behavior,” dismissing his accusations as baseless and politically motivated. Diplomatic tensions continue to escalate as both nations face off over these serious allegations.