In recent developments, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed its dissatisfaction with Canada's lack of response regarding extradition requests for members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India had made previous requests for the extradition of gang members several years ago, but these appeals have gone unanswered.
During a press briefing, Jaiswal provided the names of several individuals linked to the Bishnoi gang, including Gurjit Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Arshdeep Singh Gill, Lakhbir Singh Landa, and Gurpreet Singh.
He emphasised that these individuals are believed to be involved in criminal activities associated with the gang. The spokesperson highlighted that India had informed Canada about the gang's operations and had requested the provisional arrest and extradition of its members, but there has been no follow-up from the Canadian authorities.
The MEA also reiterated its stance on the ongoing issue related to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which has further strained relations between the two nations.
Jaiswal stated that Canada has not provided any evidence regarding Nijjar's murder, despite India's repeated requests for information. Since September 2023, the Canadian government has failed to share any substantial information with India concerning this case.
Canada has frequently invoked the principle of freedom of speech as a defence whenever India has sought action against anti-India and separatist elements operating on Canadian soil.
This situation escalated further after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in the murder of Nijjar, linking the crime to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Trudeau claimed that Indian diplomats had been gathering information on Canadian citizens and relaying it to the gang, raising serious concerns about India's intelligence operations within Canada.
In his testimony before Canada's foreign interference inquiry, Trudeau admitted that while his government had shared intelligence with India regarding the Nijjar killing, it had not provided any concrete proof to support these claims. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the already tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The diplomatic crisis reached a peak earlier this week when Canada designated Indian diplomats in Ottawa as "persons of interest" in the investigation into Nijjar's murder.
In response, India firmly rejected Canada's assertions and took reciprocal actions by recalling six of its top diplomats from Canada, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma. In a further tit-for-tat response, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting India to mirror this action.
The exchange of accusations and the expulsion of diplomats have significantly impacted the diplomatic ties between India and Canada. The MEA's continued insistence on extradition requests highlights the ongoing frustration with Canada’s lack of cooperation in addressing issues of mutual concern. As both countries navigate this complicated situation, the future of their diplomatic relations remains uncertain.
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