Shouldn't be under protection like this: Indian envoy to Canada flags K-concerns

India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has rejected allegations made by the Canadian Police and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian diplomats were involved in homicides and extortion in Canada. In an exclusive interview with CTV’s Question Period, Patnaik said, “What we are talking about now are the different security scenarios that are happening in this country.”

“Security scenarios where there is a group of people who are actually terrorising, keeping the relationship hostage. How do we deal with them? How do we deal with the law-and-order situation?” he added.

Patnaik said recent discussions between Ottawa and New Delhi have centred on “the entire security situation,” which includes issues related to the Khalistan movement.

‘CANADA CANNOT LOOK AT THIS AS AN INDIAN PROBLEM’

Patnaik argued that the Khalistan issue was not solely India’s responsibility. “Canada cannot look at this situation as an Indian problem. It’s a Canadian problem. There are Canadians who are creating this problem,” he told CTV host Vassy Kapelos.

The envoy also expressed frustration about needing personal security protection. “I find it strange that a high commissioner here has to be under protection. I’m under protection. I should not be under protection in a country like this,” he said.

TRUDEAU, ANAND REAFFIRM CANADA'S STANCE ON SAFETY

In 2023, Trudeau had rejected India’s criticism of Canada’s handling of Khalistani groups, saying, “They are wrong. Canada has always taken violence and threats of violence extremely seriously... We have always taken serious action against terrorism, and we always will.”

Earlier this week, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India. Both sides issued a joint statement identifying new areas of cooperation, including trade and artificial intelligence.

Speaking to reporters later, Anand said public safety remains “the first and foremost priority of the Government of Canada,” adding that she raised issues of “transnational repression” and the need for “an independent legal investigation” into crimes committed on Canadian soil.

Following her visit, the Sikh Federation of Canada accused Ottawa of using community safety as “a bargaining chip.” Federation president Moninder Singh said, “Deepening economic and diplomatic ties while Khalistanis continue to face threats from Indian agents is not responsible diplomacy.”

ENVOY CALLS INDIAN INVOLVEMENT CLAIMS ‘PREPOSTEROUS’

Relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2023 after Trudeau alleged “credible” links between Indian agents and the killing of Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Earlier this year, the RCMP and the federal government accused Indian diplomats and consular officials of engaging in “clandestine activities” including homicides and extortion. Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting New Delhi to expel six Canadians in return.

India has consistently denied the accusations. Patnaik told CTV that New Delhi is “still waiting for any evidence to be given,” calling the allegations “preposterous and absurd” and “without any substantial evidence.”

‘EXTRATERRITORIAL ACTION BY INDIA IS NEVER DONE’

When asked whether he could assure the Khalistani community in Canada that they would not be targeted, Patnaik responded, “They never were. We never do. Extraterritorial action by India is never done.”

He acknowledged that officials from both sides are “in the process of building up the relationship again” through renewed security dialogue.

In June, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme described talks with Indian officials as “good” and “positive,” while National Security and Intelligence Advisor Nathalie Drouin met her Indian counterpart in New Delhi last month to discuss “respective security concerns.”

CANADIAN MINISTER AVOIDS DIRECT ANSWER ON DIPLOMAT SAFETY

In a separate interview on CTV Question Period, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree declined to directly answer whether the return of Indian diplomats to Canada posed a security risk.

“We will do what it takes to ensure the safety and security of Canadians,” he said. “But we will also ensure that we have bilateral relations that allow us to not just have these conversations, but also build an element of trust.”

Anandasangaree added that Canada must ensure “those who are responsible are held to account,” citing Ottawa’s decision earlier this year to list The Bishnoi Gang, a transnational criminal organisation based primarily in India, as a terrorist entity.

CTV News said it has reached out to the RCMP regarding Patnaik’s claim that India is still waiting for evidence but had not received a response at the time of publication.

- Ends

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