To press Canada, India may share list of Khalistanis with Five Eyes nations
After Canada’s non-cooperative attitude towards Indian probe agencies’ repeated requests to seek inputs on Khalistani elements settled there, efforts are in the offing to share the same list of wanted extremists settled in the North American nation with the other Five Eyes countries. Highly placed sources indicated that the aim behind the move is to highlight Canada’s non-cooperative attitude and build counter pressure on it.
Apart from Canada, the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand are part of the Five Eye nations.
Top sources informed The Tribune that this is one of the several options which the government is currently mulling, and though things are in the preliminary stage, the aim is that by sharing the same list of wanted extremists in Canada with the other Five Eye nations, New Delhi would try and leverage this by putting pressure on Ottawa.
This is an option which is being looked at, and may be taken forward, depending on how the current diplomatic imbroglio between India and Canada pans out, sources further said. They explained that by sharing the same list of extremists which was given to Canada, with other Five Eye nations, Canada’s non-cooperation towards India’s repeated requests to share inputs on these elements could be amplified.
At the same time through this option, India also plans to seek assistance of the other four nations of the grouping towards making Canada see reason behind India’s request, sources said.
India is learnt to have sought intelligence from Canada regarding eight extremists/gangsters based in Canada, who are linked to Khalistani terrorism and separatism, and have alleged connections with Pakistani agents.
Among the names listed by India are Sandeep Singh Sidhu, Arshdeep Singh Gill and Lakhbir Singh, all of whom are allegedly involved in crimes ranging from extortion to terrorism, with their actions raising serious concerns about cross-border criminal activity.
Even India’s efforts to seek Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death certificate from Canada have been stonewalled amid the freefall in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Incidentally, the relations between the two nations soured after Canada alleged India’s hand in Nijjar’s killing on its soil last year.
Since then, India has recalled its high commissioner from Ottawa among other diplomats and the Canadian high commissioner too has been sent back from New Delhi among other staffers.
Probe Pannun plot quickly: US to India
US officials have told their Indian counterparts they want a speedy result and more accountability after their investigation into Indian involvement in a foiled murder plot against a Sikh activist in the United States, according to a US official. An Indian enquiry committee visited Washington last week to discuss India’s own investigations after the Justice Department alleged an Indian intelligence official had directed plans to assassinate dual US-Canada citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh separatist, last year. Reuters
