'Pakistan supports Khalistanis in ...': Canada security agency head's big claim resurfaces as tensions flare up

New Delhi has denied any involvement in criminal activities in Canada and dismissed Trudeau’s assertion that Ottawa had shared evidence in the Nijjar case, calling it "simply not true."

Weeks before India-Canada relations deteriorated, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Vanessa Lloyd acknowledged Pakistan’s role in influencing Canadian politics, linked to Islamabad’s support for Khalistani elements. A video of Lloyd's testimony, delivered last month before Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission, has resurfaced on social media amid the ongoing diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, it has been learnt from a News18 report.

On September 27, during a session of Canada's Foreign Interference Commission, CSIS Director Vanessa Lloyd stated that "Pakistan's engagement is consistently aimed at reducing India's influence." She further noted, "The influence of Pakistan is directly related to the support of Khalistani extremism." Lloyd's remarks were part of a broader investigation into foreign interference in Canada’s electoral processes, as per the report.

CSIS Director Vanessa Lloyd testifying before the foreign interference inquiry says that Pakistan conducts intelligence ops and transnational repression in Canada with the goal of supporting Khalistani extremism pic.twitter.com/PAKDDVPlTN
Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) October 15, 2024

The video has resurfaced as tensions between India and Canada flare up, with Ottawa hinting at potential sanctions against New Delhi following its allegations regarding Nijjar's killing, states the News18 report. Canadian authorities have accused Indian agents of involvement in "homicides, extortion, and violent acts" targeting pro-Khalistan supporters, while also attempting to link Indian agents to criminal activities involving the Bishnoi gang.

India has rejected these claims, including accusations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who alleged Indian involvement in covert operations targeting Canadian nationals. At a press conference, Trudeau said that Canada "will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government in threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil."

India and Canada expelled each other's ambassadors on Monday, escalating diplomatic tensions following Canada's allegations of increased Indian involvement in operations targeting Khalistani separatists. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that New Delhi had made a "fundamental error" in its actions, further straining relations between the two nations amidst ongoing disputes.

On Monday, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its high commissioner from Canada in response to the allegations. In turn, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, during Trudeau’s briefing, did not rule out further action, stating that "everything is on the table" when asked about possible sanctions against India. Joly emphasized that expelling diplomats is among the most severe actions a country can take under the Vienna Convention, indicating that Ottawa may consider additional measures in the ongoing diplomatic standoff.

New Delhi has denied any involvement in criminal activities in Canada and dismissed Trudeau’s assertion that Ottawa had shared evidence in the Nijjar case, calling it "simply not true." As relations between the two countries hit a new low, the future of India-Canada diplomacy remains uncertain amidst these heated exchanges.