Sikh Activist Faces Fresh Death Threats on Eve of Carney's India Trade Mission
Canadian police have issued a stark warning to a prominent Sikh activist, informing him of a "credible threat" to his family's life. This alarming development occurs mere days before Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit India, aiming to secure new trade agreements and mend diplomatic relations.
Police Warning and Alleged Indian Involvement
Moninder Singh, who leads the Sikh Federation of Canada, reported that officers visited his Surrey, British Columbia home on Sunday. They delivered a grave message: a confidential police informant had provided information indicating that Singh and his family were at significant risk. In a recording of the police warning shared with media, an officer expressed sympathy, stating, "it kills me to know you're in this position," and seemingly concurred with Singh's assessment that the threat originated from his vocal criticism of the Indian government.
Singh, a close friend of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a Sikh activist whose 2023 assassination former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly blamed on India—believes the Indian government is behind this latest intimidation. "I want everyone to know how a father or a husband would feel in a situation like this. But as an activist, as a leader in the community, I'm not going to be thwarted by this. I'm not going to be silent over this. Silence is what they want," Singh declared.
Escalating Campaign of Intimidation
While Singh has faced threats previously, he emphasized that this is the first instance where his wife and two children have been explicitly targeted. He voiced profound concern about the broader implications for the Sikh community in Canada. "If people like me start going silent, then, you know, these people that are being extorted, or other members of our community that are actually in line to be assassinated or have violence inflicted on them, then what would happen to them?" he questioned.
Both Singh and Nijjar are outspoken advocates for Khalistan, a campaign for an autonomous Sikh homeland in India. The Khalistan movement is banned within India, and its supporters have long been subjected to threats and harassment. Singh noted that this campaign of intimidation has intensified in recent months, creating a climate of fear among diaspora activists.
Diplomatic Tensions and Trade Priorities
The death threat emerges against a backdrop of strained Canada-India relations. Trudeau's accusation regarding Nijjar's killing triggered a diplomatic crisis, leading to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats. Despite this, Carney is pushing forward with a high-level delegation to India, seeking to diversify trade amidst separate geopolitical disputes with the United States.
However, a senior Canadian official attempted to downplay concerns on Wednesday, asserting that the government was "confident" India's campaign of threats and violence had ceased. The official added that if such activities were ongoing, Carney and his delegation "wouldn't be taking this trip."
For activists like Singh, the prime minister's visit feels like a betrayal. "How do you separate the violence in this country that's being inflicted by India – that our own intelligence and law enforcement agencies are telling us is happening and then reward them with new access to the Canadian market?" he asked, describing the trip as "a slap in the face."
Intelligence Reports and Broader Threats
Canadian intelligence agencies have consistently pointed to Indian interference. In June, Canada's spy agency stated that Nijjar's murder represented a "significant escalation in India's repression efforts," part of a transnational campaign by Delhi to threaten dissidents. Their report detailed that "Indian officials, including their Canada-based proxy agents, engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians."
Federal police have uncovered "well over a dozen credible and imminent threats to life," leading to the issuance of multiple "duty to warn" notices. Investigators also revealed that a suspect with links to the Indian government and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang—implicated in Nijjar's death—had been surveilling former New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. This surveillance included knowledge of his daily routines, travel plans, and family, prompting the RCMP to place him under police protection upon identifying a credible threat.
Comparisons with China and Future Concerns
Singh expressed apprehension that Carney's apparent success in improving trade relations with China—following the detention of two Canadians after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou—might be replicated with India. Last month, Carney signed agreements with China, including plans to eliminate tariffs on canola and gradually introduce Chinese electric vehicles to Canada.
However, Singh highlighted a critical distinction: "The difference between India and China, however, is that India has been singled out as being highly violent in Canada over the last several years. It is the one country known to have carried out an assassination on Canadian soil. Other countries and their governments harass or try to silence dissidents – but the actual violence, extortions and murder come from India."
He fears that Carney's high-profile visit could enable Delhi to "completely wash their hands" of any accusations of wrongdoing. "Putting trade before Canadian lives is what we've been worried will keep happening for well over a year," Singh lamented. "It's unfortunate that it's just going to continue."
India's high commission has not responded to requests for comment on these allegations, leaving the situation fraught with uncertainty as diplomatic and trade discussions proceed.
