Dasvand
Ottawa (October 13 , 2025) –The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is deeply concerned that the Canada‑India joint statement issued today offers no assurances about stopping foreign interference or transnational repression. Issued on the one-year anniversary of Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats over their role in a violent campaign targeting Sikhs, the statement outlines a “New Roadmap” based “mutual respect for shared democratic values, the rule of law, and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Yet it says nothing about India’s ongoing transnational repression — a threat that continues to endanger Sikhs in Canada.
Exactly one year ago, the RCMP announced that they had credible information about a campaign of violence and extortion in Canada linked to agents of the Indian government and Indian diplomats in Canada. When India refused to waive diplomatic immunity, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats.
The WSO is alarmed that today’s joint statement, released once again on the Thanksgiving weekend, does not acknowledge India’s ongoing campaign of violence and interference.
Canada’s National Security Adviser Nathalie Drouin testified before parliamentarians that India collected intelligence on Sikhs in Canada through diplomatic channels and proxies, then passed it to Indian authorities who worked with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Senior Canadian officials have also confirmed that India’s Home Minister Amit Shah personally ordered the campaign of violence and intelligence-gathering against Sikh activists in Canada. Shah is widely considered Prime Minister Modi’s right-hand man.
WSO President Danish Singh said today,
“Today’s celebratory ‘renewing momentum’ statement blatantly ignores India’s campaign of transnational repression and foreign interference, on the very anniversary of Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats for that very reason. Issuing today’s statement without acknowledging India’s ongoing repression is deeply insensitive and a profound betrayal of the Sikh community.
Canadian Sikhs continue to face ongoing threats and criminal activity being directed by India. Our government cannot pretend that everything is back to normal while transnational repression is ongoing. Today’s statement isn’t diplomacy; it is a failure to defend Canada’s sovereignty and the rule of law. It is appeasement of the worst kind.”
WSO has repeatedly stressed that any path forward for Canada‑India relations must include commitments to end India’s campaign of transnational repression and to respect Canadian sovereignty and the rule of law. WSO calls immediately for the following measures
- Canada must publicly confirm that any Indian diplomats accredited in Canada will not be intelligence or security operatives, and that they will not engage in surveillance or intimidation of Canadians.
- While Canada’s recent listing of the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity is welcome, those who directed, financed or facilitated this gang, including high‑level Indian politicians and officials, must also be sanctioned. Reports that Home Minister Amit Shah sanctioned attacks and that Indian agents used the Bishnoi gang underscore the need for accountability.
- Sikh activists who receive “duty‑to‑warn” notices must be provided with adequate support and security. The duty to warn system needs a full overhaul to ensure that those threatened are not left to fend for themselves.
- A full public inquiry into India’s foreign interference and transnational repression campaign in Canada.
WSO is a non-profit national organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals.