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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Exclusive: Ahead of Modi's G7 visit, India had collated info on 8 Canada-based gangsters, Khalistani Terrorists for talks with Ottawa
In the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 summit, the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed Central security agencies to compile and share intelligence on eight Canada-based fugitive gangsters and terrorists—including designated Khalistani terrorists Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla and Lakhbir Singh 'Landa'. The information was expected to be handed over to Canadian authorities on the sidelines of the visit, it is learnt. As reported by The Indian Express Tuesday, Delhi and Ottawa are engaged in hectic negotiations to create a joint working group to deal with transnational crimes. The negotiations are aimed at rebuilding bilateral ties while insulating them from the Canadian judicial process on the 2023 killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Sources said the consultative mechanism will be the first step towards assuaging concerns on both sides. While Canada will have a mechanism to discuss issues related to the judicial process, India can bring up Khalistan separatism and extremism-related concerns. Ties between India and Canada were severely hit after September 2023, when then PM Justin Trudeau raised suspicion about the Indian government's 'potential' involvement in the killing of Canada-based Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the two countries expelled each other's diplomats. It took a turn for the worse after Canada's Foreign Interference Commission identified India as the 'second most active country' interfering in its electoral affairs. India has denied these allegations, terming them as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. 'Apart from Landa and Arsh, the list includes Lipin Nehra, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang; Rahul alias Harry Kailash Ritoli and Lakshya Gudhan, close associates of Himanshu Bhau; and Lucky Patial of Chandigarh, who took over the Davinder Bambiha gang after latter's encounter in 2016. Currently operating from Canada, Lucky controls nearly 400 shooters across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. He is a rival of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gangs and carries a bounty of Rs 5 lakh,' a source said. While Central agencies already had a list of criminals operating from abroad, a fresh list was sought specifically of criminals based in Canada and their case status, sources said. 'Following the MHA's directions, the list of eight criminals, along with their criminal dossiers and efforts made by the Indian agencies to bring them back, was prepared,' said a source. The list also includes Bambiha gang's associate: Zahar Singh alias Prince Chauhan, whose extortion module is active in Punjab; Gurjant Singh alias Bholu, who belongs to Havelian village in Punjab's Tarn Taran district and is a key figure in a global drug syndicate. He is reported to have ties with other prominent criminals, including Amritpal Singh alias Baath, and Shehnaz Singh alias Shawn Bhinder, an international drug lord. 'Bholu's activities primarily revolve around smuggling of heroin and other narcotics from Pakistan and Afghanistan into India, as well as facilitating the distribution of cocaine from Colombia to the US and Canada,' a source said. India's Central investigation agencies, who approached the Royal Canadian Mounted police to discuss Dalla's arrest, found that Dalla's ankle bracelet put on him after he was granted bail in December was removed after he deposited a fine of 30,000 Canadian dollars. Significantly, it was the first time that one of India's Central investigation agencies approached the Royal Canadian Mounted police to discuss Dalla's arrest, and came amid India's push for his extradition. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
6 days ago
- Politics
Carney facing some Liberal pushback over Modi's invitation to G7 summit
Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing some pushback from his caucus over Canada's decision to invite the Indian prime minister to the G7 meeting in Alberta next week, with one Sikh MP saying it's a bad idea. B.C. MP Sukh Dhaliwal told reporters he met with Carney early Wednesday to express what he says are constituents' frustrations with the decision to include Narendra Modi. Canadian police have alleged Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar (new window) , the Canadian Khalistani separatist who was gunned down in B.C. in 2023. Nijjar and others in that movement have been calling for an independent Sikh homeland in northern India called Khalistan, which Modi's government has vigorously opposed and denounced as a national security threat. The RCMP has clearly stated there's credible evidence Indian agents were involved in the assassination of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, Dhaliwal said of Nijjar. It's a bad idea to include Modi in this high-profile get-together, he said. WATCH | Modi coming is a 'bad idea,' Dhaliwal says: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Liberal MP says Modi coming to Canada is 'a bad idea' Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, B.C. Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal said he met with Prime Minister Mark Carney Wednesday morning to express concerns he says his constituents have with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi being invited to the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta. Dhaliwal said Carney is alarmed by the Nijjar case and taking seriously what would be an egregious violation of Canadian sovereignty. Canada expelled some Indian diplomats (new window) after the allegations were made public. A police investigation into alleged Indian involvement is ongoing but the government has already said there are linkages between the four Indian nationals arrested and charged (new window) with Nijjar's murder and the Indian government. Dhaliwal said Carney is very strong on the issue and will represent Sikh concerns about Indian interference and transnational crime when speaking to Modi. I'm saying it's not a good idea, but now he's invited. We have to move forward, he said. 'Our government needs to take a firm stand' Another Liberal B.C. MP, Gurbux Saini, said his voters are concerned. What is happening is wrong and our government needs to take a firm stand, he said of India's alleged actions. Beyond the Nijjar killing, the Foreign Interference Commission's final report (new window) also identified India as a top meddler in Canadian affairs. The commission reviewed intelligence suggesting Indian-aligned proxies may have clandestinely provided financial support to various Canadian politicians to try and get more pro-Indian candidates elected. The report also found that India has used disinformation to further its goals in Canada. Liberal MP Karina Gould, a past cabinet minister and leadership contender, said human rights should be on the agenda when Carney meets with Modi and if another controversial G7 invitee, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (new window) , also decides to attend. Bin Salman has been tied to the killing of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi. I understand why they were invited. Part of diplomacy is having these conversations — you don't shut the door to them, Gould said. But we're also standing up for values that are important to Canadians. WATCH | MPs asked about India, Saudi Arabia invites : Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Liberal MPs asked about Carney inviting India, Saudi Arabia to G7 in Canada Liberal MPs Yasir Naqvi, Ahmed Hussen, Rob Oliphant and Yvan Baker were asked Wednesday to share their thoughts on Prime Minister Mark Carney inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Alberta. The Modi invite is a sign Carney may be looking to reset relations with India after a particularly fractious period under the last Liberal government, said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University. It's sending a positive signal to the Indians that the Carney government wants to begin to turn the page on some of the frictions we saw during the Trudeau government and the difficulties they had with India, Hampson said in an interview with CBC News. And there are signs India may be open to a rapprochement because Modi accepted the invitation immediately, Hampson said, unlike Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum who took days to consider whether to go or not (new window) . India is the world's fifth-largest economy, a major regional actor in the Indo-Pacific and an increasingly important player on the global stage, and bringing Modi here for the G7 is a way for Carney to signal he's taking Canada's foreign policy in a different direction, Hampson said. The fact that this is a multilateral gathering that we're hosting does give the prime minister some cover when it comes to domestic critics who feel Modi shouldn't be invited. It would be very different if it was an invitation for a bilateral heads of government meeting in Ottawa. At least this can be done under the cloak of the G7, he said. The push to diversify the economy is why other Liberal MPs were deferential to Carney and his decision to include Modi. Canada is facing an economic crisis with U.S. relations at a low point, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu said, and Canada needs to collaborate and work out some of the issues with India. I think the G7 is an important avenue for the prime minister to discuss some economic collaboration, Sidhu said. MP Yasir Naqvi, the parliamentary secretary to Sidhu, said there's no excuse for the very serious allegations around extrajudicial killings, but the Carney and Modi face-to-face is a chance for Canada to demand India's co-operation with the ongoing Canadian police investigation and to engage on the larger issue. This only happens if there's a relationship between our governments, Naqvi said. WATCH | Conservative leader on Modi's invitation: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Poilievre says Modi's G7 invitation was 'necessary' 5 days agoDuration0:55'We need to work with India,' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, said when asked if it's appropriate for the Indian prime minister to come to Canada, as his government's role in a B.C. killing is investigated. And, as Carney looks to lessen Canada's dependence on the U.S., there are opportunities for Canadian businesses in India, Naqvi said. Canada is trying to open the door on relationships and say, 'We need to diversify our trade vastly,' added MP Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs. The message to the world is Canada is a vibrant trading partner. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said earlier this week that India is one of the biggest and fastest-growing economies in the world. India is a promising potential market for Canadian liquefied natural gas and nuclear power technology, among other products, Poilievre said, and that sort of trade depends on improving relations. We need to work with India … on trade and security, he said. The invitation is necessary. WATCH | NDP MP slams invitations : Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Modi's invitation to Canada 'deeply alarming,' says NDP MP NDP MP Heather McPherson joined colleagues on Parliament Hill to object to some of the foreign leaders invited to the G7 summit in Alberta, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over his country's alleged links to the 2023 killing of B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Meanwhile, NDP MP Heather McPherson said Modi's inclusion is deeply alarming. This government has consistently and very clearly chosen profits and the economy over human rights, over people, she said. Profit over people. That's their mantra. John Paul Tasker (new window) · CBC News
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Canada responded slowly to foreign meddling but elections were not altered, probe finds
By Ismail Shakil OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government was slow in responding to efforts by China and India to interfere in the country's elections but their outcome was unaffected by the meddling, an official probe said in a final report released on Tuesday. The report was the culmination of a probe set up in September 2023 in response to media reports about possible Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, both of which were won by the ruling Liberals. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The conclusion confirmed the findings of an interim report released last May that said foreign interference had not changed the results of the elections but eroded public trust in the electoral system. The Chinese embassy did not have an immediate comment but previously has strongly denied accusations of any meddling. India rejected the allegations in the report and accused Canada of "consistently interfering in India's internal affairs." The Foreign Interference Commission in a statement said it found that foreign meddling in Canada's elections was not a new phenomenon but that it was on the rise while the methods used were changing. The probe found that the Liberal government responded to attempted foreign interference by putting in place measures and mechanisms to detect, prevent and counter them, but it "sometimes took too long to act, and coordination was less than optimal." "The Commission also found that the government has been a poor communicator both about the extent of foreign interference that it detected and the means in place to counter it, and that it must find ways to be more transparent," the Foreign Interference Commission said in a statement. The Canadian government said in a statement that it will carefully review the report's findings and use them to push back against any foreign interference. The probe found that China views Canada as a high-priority target and is the most active perpetrator of foreign interference targeting all levels of government. India was identified as the second-most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada. "Canada's democratic institutions have held up well and remained robust in the face of attempted foreign interference," said commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, who led the independent public inquiry. Last year the inquiry heard evidence showing Canada's domestic spy agency concluded that China had indeed meddled in both votes. Beijing has repeatedly denied this is true. The report comes about six weeks before the Liberal Party chooses a new leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation earlier this month. Polls show the Conservatives, who accuse Trudeau of not taking interference seriously, are set to win an election that must be held by Oct. 20 this year, but could take place as soon as the spring.
South China Morning Post
28-01-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Canada slow to respond to China and India election meddling, report says
The Canadian government was slow in responding to efforts by China and India to interfere in the country's elections but their outcome was unaffected by the meddling, an official probe said in a final report released on Tuesday. The report was the culmination of a probe set up in September 2023 in response to media reports about possible Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, both of which were won by the ruling Liberals. The conclusion confirmed the findings of an interim report released last May that said foreign interference had not changed the results of the elections but eroded public trust in the electoral system. The Chinese embassy did not have an immediate comment but previously has strongly denied accusations of any meddling. India rejected the allegations in the report and accused Canada of 'consistently interfering in India's internal affairs'. The Foreign Interference Commission in a statement said it found that foreign meddling in Canada's elections was not a new phenomenon but that it was on the rise while the methods used were changing. 02:28 Canada expels Chinese diplomat accused of targeting lawmaker Michael Chong and his family Canada expels Chinese diplomat accused of targeting lawmaker Michael Chong and his family The probe found that the Liberal government responded to attempted foreign interference by putting in place measures and mechanisms to detect, prevent and counter them, but it 'sometimes took too long to act, and coordination was less than optimal'.
Reuters
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Canada responded slowly to foreign meddling but elections were not altered, probe finds
OTTAWA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - The Canadian government was slow in responding to efforts by China and India to interfere in the country's elections but their outcome was unaffected by the meddling, an official probe said in a final report released on Tuesday. The report was the culmination of a probe set up in September 2023 in response to media reports about possible Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, both of which were won by the ruling Liberals. The conclusion confirmed the findings of an interim report released last May that said foreign interference had not changed the results of the elections but eroded public trust in the electoral system. The Chinese embassy did not have an immediate comment but previously has strongly denied accusations of any meddling. India rejected the allegations in the report and accused Canada of "consistently interfering in India's internal affairs." The Foreign Interference Commission in a statement said it found that foreign meddling in Canada's elections was not a new phenomenon but that it was on the rise while the methods used were changing. The probe found that the Liberal government responded to attempted foreign interference by putting in place measures and mechanisms to detect, prevent and counter them, but it "sometimes took too long to act, and coordination was less than optimal." "The Commission also found that the government has been a poor communicator both about the extent of foreign interference that it detected and the means in place to counter it, and that it must find ways to be more transparent," the Foreign Interference Commission said in a statement. The Canadian government said in a statement that it will carefully review the report's findings and use them to push back against any foreign interference. The probe found that China views Canada as a high-priority target and is the most active perpetrator of foreign interference targeting all levels of government. India was identified as the second-most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada. "Canada's democratic institutions have held up well and remained robust in the face of attempted foreign interference," said commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue, who led the independent public inquiry. Last year the inquiry heard evidence showing Canada's domestic spy agency concluded that China had indeed meddled in both votes. Beijing has repeatedly denied this is true. The report comes about six weeks before the Liberal Party chooses a new leader to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation earlier this month. Polls show the Conservatives, who accuse Trudeau of not taking interference seriously, are set to win an election that must be held by Oct. 20 this year, but could take place as soon as the spring.
