NEW DELHI: In a pincer move, Canada has named India as a “foreign interference threat” while a prominent Senator in the US has extracted a promise from the Biden administration to persuade India to thoroughly investigate allegations of the Indian Government’s involvement in an attempt to murder pro-Khalistan activist and “designated terrorist” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.
In the US, Senator Ben Cardin lifted his hold on the sale of MQ-9 drones to India only after the Biden administration assured him that it will take steps to address allegations of the Indian Government’s involvement in the attempt to murder Pannun in New York, a few days after pro-Khalistan activist and terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Canada.
Amid tensions with New Delhi over an alleged Indian hand in Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia, a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) report has named India as a “foreign interference threat”.
“We must do more to protect Canada’s robust democratic institutions and processes,” said the report on “foreign interference of India” while noting that the problem could worsen. The report, according to Canadian media, dates back to October 2022 and examines so-called foreign interference by India, Russia and China by secrecy and deception to influence public narratives. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had ordered an investigation after the report. The naming of India as a “security threat” will heighten tensions with Canada, which New Delhi says gives space to activities related to secession and gangsterism. On the other hand, Ottawa says India must come clean on its involvement in Nijjar’s murder.
In the US, Chair of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin had put a spanner on the sale of MQ-9 drones to India on human rights grounds (alleged attempt to murder Pannun). Cardin relented after receiving assurances from the Biden administration.
“I have been assured by the (Biden) administration that the Indian Government is committed to thoroughly investigating the situation (attempt to murder Pannun) and fully cooperating so that there is credible accountability in this case. I fully intend to hold the administration to these commitments,” said the Senator in the statement.