According to officials from Western allied nations, American spy agencies shared information with Ottawa following the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader. However, it was Canadian officials who gathered the most conclusive evidence implicating India in orchestrating the plot. The intercepted communications of Indian diplomats in Canada, which serve as the “smoking gun,” were acquired by Canadian authorities.
Although Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation, American officials have been cautious in order to avoid any diplomatic backlash from India. Nonetheless, the disclosure of U.S. intelligence involvement may entangle Washington in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Canada and India at a time when the U.S. seeks closer ties with New Delhi.
Allied officials stated that the United States only became aware of the plot and evidence implicating India after the Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, had already been killed. On June 18, Mr. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen advocating for independence in a Sikh-majority region of India, was fatally shot in the Vancouver area.
Prior to the assassination, Canadian officials had repeatedly alerted Mr. Nijjar about threats to his life and advised him to avoid the temple. However, they did not inform him that he was specifically targeted by the Indian government.
Following Mr. Nijjar’s death, American officials confirmed that they did not possess any advance knowledge about the plot. If they had, they would have promptly notified Ottawa according to the intelligence agencies’ “duty to warn” policy. Canadian officials did offer a general warning to Mr. Nijjar but failed to disclose his status as a target in an Indian government plot.
While the United States routinely shares vast amounts of intercepted communications with its closest intelligence partners, including Canada, the contextual information regarding the assassination was deliberately shared as part of a comprehensive intelligence package.
When approached for comment, the White House declined, and U.S. officials demonstrated reluctance in discussing the assassination. While Washington aims to support its close ally, Canada, it also wishes to avoid alienating India, which it considers a vital partner in countering China’s growing influence in Asia.
The accusation of India’s involvement has caused a diplomatic rift between Ottawa and New Delhi, resulting in the expulsion of intelligence officers from both sides and India suspending visas for Canadians.
The killing and India’s alleged role have deeply surprised officials in Washington. While targeted killings are conducted by democratic countries in unstable regions and more authoritarian nations, such as Russia, orchestrate assassinations wherever they choose, the idea of a democratic country carrying out a lethal covert operation in another democracy is highly unusual.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian officials have refrained from divulging specific details of the intelligence related to India that Canada has obtained. They believe it is crucial not to compromise the ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Allied officials did not provide in-depth information about the intelligence shared by the United States.
A Canadian government official, speaking anonymously to protect sensitive information, stated that they had received intelligence from multiple countries.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation previously reported that the Canadian government had obtained communications of Indian diplomats in Canada.
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