Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasized the ongoing importance of addressing security concerns related to India, despite recent assertions from an unnamed government official suggesting a shift in Ottawa’s perspective on foreign interference and transnational repression. Anandasangaree highlighted the need to continue engaging in matters concerning the safety and security of Canadians during an event near Parliament Hill.
The official, speaking anonymously ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade trip, indicated a belief that India has altered its behavior, stating that the government no longer perceives ongoing interference. Anandasangaree, responsible for overseeing the RCMP and CSIS, refrained from fully endorsing this view, underscoring the need for further work on the issue.
Contrary to current sentiments, just over a year ago, the Trudeau government expelled six Indian diplomats following RCMP identification of them as “persons of interest.” In 2024, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme revealed substantial evidence implicating the highest levels of the Indian government in orchestrating violence and intimidation within Canada. A year earlier, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau disclosed evidence linking Indian operatives to the assassination of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim vehemently denied by New Delhi.
Recent developments, including Vancouver police issuing a fourth duty to warn letter to prominent Canadian Sikh activist Moninder Singh regarding threats on his life, underscore lingering tensions. Anandasangaree acknowledged historical challenges with India, particularly in electoral foreign interference, as highlighted in a 2021 foreign interference inquiry report.
The public safety minister reaffirmed the necessity of addressing security issues through appropriate channels, including legal proceedings, amid efforts to mend relations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal voiced dissent over the official’s perceived downplaying of India’s transnational repression, citing conflicting assessments from national security agencies.
In response to Dhaliwal’s concerns, Anandasangaree stressed the dual approach of fostering economic engagement while addressing safety and security matters concerning Canadians. Dhaliwal called for a review of the official’s conduct and suitability for their role, emphasizing the importance of addressing the situation.