Canadian newspaper alleges Indian intelligence officer linked to Nijjar killing
Claim surfaces as Canada PM meets Indian PM Modi in New Delhi
On the day Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to reset strained bilateral ties, The Globe and Mail published explosive claims linking an Indian intelligence officer to the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Citing national-security and law-enforcement sources, the report alleges that consular staff in Vancouver provided critical information that facilitated Nijjar’s assassination in Surrey, British Columbia.
One official, reportedly a visa officer, is said to have acted as an undercover operative for India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), using diplomatic cover to gather intelligence on Nijjar by engaging with the local Indian diaspora.
The officer allegedly worked with a career diplomat, identified only as Manish, who served as Consul-General in Vancouver at the time.
The report comes amid efforts to mend Indo-Canada relations, which were strained following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 accusations of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s death. The timing of the article—coinciding with Carney and Modi’s talks at Hyderabad House—adds fresh tension to the diplomatic reset. Discussions between the two leaders focused on trade, energy, critical technologies and broader cooperation, with a reported target of $50 billion in bilateral trade.
Who was Nijjar?
Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement advocating for an independent Sikh homeland, was shot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in June 2023. Four Indian nationals have since been charged in connection with the murder, and Canadian authorities have long investigated potential foreign involvement. Previous diplomatic expulsions, including in 2024, were linked to the ongoing probe.
India has not yet responded to the claims. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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