Prime Minister Mark Carney refrained from taking a definitive stance on the alleged interference of Indian agents in Canadian affairs during a press briefing in Sydney, Australia. Carney emphasized the importance of an ongoing criminal investigation into the murder of a B.C. Sikh man to avoid prejudicing the case outcome.
Addressing reporters, Carney distanced himself from a government official’s statement made in a pre-trip background briefing that suggested Indian interference activity in Canada had ceased. This assertion sparked discontent among Sikh and Indo-Canadian communities who claim to have been targeted by criminal elements with purported ties to India, leading to safety warnings by Vancouver Police for certain activists.
When asked about agreeing with the official’s assessment of Indian meddling cessation, Carney responded, “I would not use those words.” He stressed that the issue was discussed directly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their recent meeting, emphasizing Canada’s approach of “vigilance and engagement.”
In a separate incident, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously implicated unnamed Indian agents in the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and vocal advocate for an independent Sikh homeland. Nijjar was tragically killed in Surrey, B.C.
Carney highlighted the potential impact of discussing broader interference issues on the ongoing Nijjar case, where four alleged hitmen, Indian nationals who recently arrived in Canada, stand accused of the murder. The Globe and Mail’s report shed light on the alleged involvement of Indian consular staff in the incident.
Regarding the larger interference issue, Carney emphasized the importance of not prejudicing justice in ongoing criminal proceedings. His Secretary of State for Combating Crime, Ruby Sahota, and other Liberal MPs have echoed concerns about New Delhi’s involvement, while India maintains its denial of interference activities.
During Carney’s visit with Modi, the leaders finalized several lucrative deals and committed to pursuing a free trade agreement by the end of the year, reflecting Canada’s efforts to diversify trade partnerships beyond the U.S. Carney hailed the strengthened relationship between the two countries as a significant step towards a mutually beneficial future partnership.