RCMP Commissioner says no direct link between Indian govt with current criminal activity in Canada

March 20, 2026

RED FM News Desk

In a significant shift regarding allegations of foreign interference and the targeting of Sikh leaders, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme has stated that current investigations do not show a direct criminal link between the Government of India and ongoing suspicious activities in Canada.

In a recent interview with CTV News, Commissioner Duheme clarified that while incidents of intimidation and harassment are occurring within the country, there is currently no evidence to connect these files to any foreign entity. He noted that although serious allegations were leveled against Indian diplomats in previous years, the current investigative files do not reflect such a connection.

“I am saying that based on the totality of the files we have on foreign interference or transnational repression, what we have are individuals intimidating and harassing people,” Duheme stated during the interview. “But as for something that connects the dots to a foreign entity, regardless of the country, we do not have that.”

This statement marks a notable departure from the tensions of 2023, when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Those allegations led to a severe diplomatic fallout in 2024, resulting in both nations expelling each other’s diplomats.

Current Prime Minister Mark Carney has been actively working to bring Canada-India relations back on track. Since June of last year, Carney has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi three times. Both countries also appointed new High Commissioners last year in an effort to resolve the diplomatic bitterness.

Despite the RCMP’s latest stance on criminal investigations, a recent report from CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) continues to list India as a primary actor in foreign interference. This discrepancy highlights a potential gap between intelligence assessments and the evidence required for criminal prosecution.

Commissioner Duheme’s assertion that no “foreign entity” is currently linked to these crimes has raised new questions. Specifically, it remains unclear how this affects the status of the India-based Bishnoi gang, which was previously accused of carrying out violent acts in Canada at the behest of Indian agents.

As the investigation continues, the Commissioner’s remarks are being viewed as a signal of easing tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi, even as security agencies remain vigilant regarding internal threats to the Sikh community.