Washington: Canadian authorities have informed the Indian government about intercepted communications that purportedly implicate Home Minister Amit Shah and a senior official from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in intelligence operations targeting Sikh activists in Canada. This allegation comes amid rising tensions between Canada and India over the treatment of Sikh activists.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the communications were reportedly discussed during a secretive meeting on October 12 in Singapore between Canadian security officials and India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. These communications suggest that both Shah and the RAW official authorized activities aimed at gathering intelligence and conducting operations against specific Sikh groups in Canada, revelations that were reported by the Washington Post.
The controversy escalated when Canada sought to question the Indian diplomats involved, a request India denied by refusing to lift their diplomatic immunity. This standoff led to the expulsion of six Indian diplomats, including the Indian High Commissioner to Canada.
This incident marks a significant point of contention in Amit Shah’s career, recalling past accusations of his involvement in extrajudicial violence during his tenure as the Home Minister of Gujarat. These historical allegations, coupled with the current claims of overseas operations targeting activists, compound the complexities of Shah’s role in Indian politics.
The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has expressed confidence in the evidence at their disposal, describing it as “clear and compelling.” Trudeau has accused Indian agents of engaging in activities that threaten public safety in Canada, including covert intelligence gathering and involvement in violent acts against the Sikh community. This assertion represents a significant escalation from earlier statements and indicates a severe strain in diplomatic relations between Canada and India.