In a significant revelation, two senior officials from the Canadian government have acknowledged that they leaked purported intelligence regarding India to American media outlets prior to its disclosure within Canada. This admission adds to the ongoing tensions between Canada and India, particularly following allegations concerning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nathalie Drouin, Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, along with David Morrison, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, informed The Washington Post about these leaks. This occurred before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly accused India of being involved in Nijjar's killing and other incidents in Canada.
During a session with a parliamentary panel, Drouin explained that the coordinated leak was part of a “communications strategy” designed to ensure that a prominent U.S. outlet received Canada’s viewpoint amid the escalating diplomatic conflict with India. She clarified that the information leaked was deemed non-classified and was released before Canada’s Thanksgiving on October 14. Drouin also stated that while the strategy had been seen by the Prime Minister’s Office, it did not require Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s authorization.
The leaked information allegedly included concerns about illegal activities attributed to Indian agents, including threats to Canadian citizens. It also encompassed allegations linking Indian officials to the murder of Sukhdool Singh Gill, a Khalistani supporter shot in Winnipeg last year. Trudeau had previously accused Indian officials of involvement in Nijjar’s murder without providing any evidence to substantiate his claims.
Tensions between Canada and India intensified when India expelled six Canadian diplomats on October 14, following Ottawa's designation of India’s High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation into Nijjar’s murder. On the same day, senior RCMP officials publicly made serious accusations against India.
New Delhi has long asserted that the Trudeau government has allowed space for violent extremists and terrorists to threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. In light of these events, India emphasized that it could not trust the current Canadian government to ensure the safety of its diplomats, particularly in a climate marked by extremism and violence.
On October 13, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reportedly met with his Canadian counterpart in Singapore, where Canadian officials presented evidence of India's alleged connections with the Bishnoi gang, suggesting attempts to target Sikh separatists in Canada.
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