A detailed report from *The Washington Post* has revealed that National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval recently held a clandestine meeting with his Canadian counterpart in Singapore amidst escalating tensions between India and Canada. The diplomatic standoff, sparked by allegations that India had a hand in the assassination of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, last year, has further strained the already fragile relations between the two countries. According to the report, which cites anonymous Canadian officials, the meeting lasted five hours and was attended by senior Canadian security personnel, including security adviser Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, and a senior member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The Canadian side reportedly presented Ajit Doval with evidence allegedly linking India to Nijjar's killing. They claimed that India had enlisted the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal network known for orchestrating violent crimes from within India, to carry out the murder. Lawrence Bishnoi, currently incarcerated in India, is infamous for his role in numerous criminal activities, including the high-profile killing of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022. The Bishnoi gang, which has established associates in Canada, had taken responsibility for Moose Wala’s murder, and Canadian officials have been increasingly concerned about the gang's influence extending beyond Indian borders.
During the meeting, the Canadian officials reportedly informed Doval that they had evidence showing the Bishnoi gang’s involvement in Nijjar’s assassination, and that this information would soon become public as the trial of four suspects connected to the murder was scheduled to begin next month. According to the *Washington Post* report, Doval initially feigned ignorance of Lawrence Bishnoi but later acknowledged that Bishnoi had the capability to orchestrate violence from his prison cell and was engaged in illegal activities even while incarcerated. Despite this, Doval firmly denied any involvement by India in Nijjar’s murder, asserting that India would continue to deny any links to the killing, regardless of the evidence presented.
The Canadian government sought the meeting in an attempt to convince India to halt what they described as an “escalating campaign of violence” on Canadian soil, which has targeted pro-Khalistan separatists and their supporters. Canada has become home to a significant Sikh diaspora, some of whom support the Khalistan movement for an independent Sikh state. This has created tensions between India, which views the movement as a threat to its territorial integrity, and Canada, which maintains that it respects the freedom of expression for all communities.
The report also made the explosive claim that six Indian diplomats, including India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, were involved in gathering intelligence on Sikh separatists in Canada. The Canadian side alleged that these diplomats were actively involved in identifying individuals who were later targeted for attacks or threats by India’s proxies, allegedly including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. These diplomats were among the six Indian officials expelled by Canada in a recent diplomatic retaliation. Canada had taken this step after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of being linked to Nijjar’s assassination, a claim that India has categorically denied.
India responded to these expulsions with a tit-for-tat move, expelling six Canadian diplomats, including Canada's top representative in New Delhi, as part of an ongoing escalation in the diplomatic row. The Ministry of External Affairs in India has dismissed the allegations as baseless, terming them “preposterous imputations” aimed at advancing the “political agenda” of Prime Minister Trudeau, who faces a challenging political climate at home.
The tensions between the two countries have disrupted diplomatic ties and affected trade relations and visa services, with both nations taking restrictive measures. India has consistently refuted any involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, asserting that Canada’s accusations are politically motivated and designed to placate certain domestic constituencies. Meanwhile, the Canadian government continues to insist that there is credible evidence linking India to the killing, further complicating efforts to restore normal diplomatic relations.
This growing diplomatic standoff comes at a time when both countries are navigating delicate international relationships. India, as a rising global power, has emphasized its stance against separatism and terrorism, while Canada has sought to balance its domestic political considerations with its global alliances. The allegations against India, if substantiated, could have far-reaching implications for its diplomatic standing on the global stage, especially in its relations with Western nations.
The meeting between Doval and Canadian officials in Singapore underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the complexities of the current diplomatic crisis. As the trial of Nijjar’s alleged killers draws near and more evidence comes to light, the situation is likely to become even more contentious. Both nations are navigating a fragile diplomatic landscape, with potential long-term implications for their bilateral ties, trade, and cooperation on international security issues.
