Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious Indian crime boss in his early 30s, has emerged as a central figure in the escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Accused by Canadian police of colluding with Indian officials to target Sikh activists in Canada, Bishnoi leads a gang of approximately 700 members involved in various criminal activities across North America and the UAE. His criminal activities reportedly began in 2013, and he has been implicated in serious crimes, including a 2016 jailbreak and a 2022 attack on a police facility [d4ea8493].
The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh separatist, has further strained relations between the two nations. Reports have surfaced suggesting the involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Nijjar's killing, with operatives Rahat Rao and Tariq Kiani identified as potential suspects in Canada. Nijjar was believed to have connections with Pakistani secret services and was viewed as a liability due to ongoing gang rivalries [83070c39].
Tensions escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being behind Nijjar's assassination in September 2023. The Indian government has denied any involvement and claims that no evidence has been presented to support these allegations. This diplomatic row has led to the expulsion of India's top diplomat from Canada, reflecting growing concerns over the safety of Sikh activists and the influence of foreign governments on domestic affairs [d4ea8493].
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and vocal critic of the Indian government, has alleged that India operates a 'spy network' in North America to silence dissent. His claims are part of a broader narrative that includes recent US indictments against two Indian nationals for conspiring to murder him in New York, raising alarms about the safety of Sikh activists abroad and the extent of Indian intelligence operations in foreign territories [e6d86869].
As the diplomatic row continues, the implications of Bishnoi's criminal activities and the allegations against the Indian government highlight the complexities of international relations, particularly concerning diaspora communities and their interactions with their home countries. The discussions surrounding Nijjar's assassination and the potential involvement of ISI have reignited debates about targeted killings of Khalistani elements in Canada, further complicating the diplomatic landscape [83070c39].