Statement from Jagmeet Singh on the expulsion of Indian diplomats, criminal investigation

Canada's NDP leader Jagmeet Singh released the following statement regarding the expulsion of the Indian high commissioner and other diplomats, and RCMP investigations into alleged violent criminal activity by Indian officials:

“New Democrats are extremely worried about the information released by the RCMP commissioner today. Canadians, particularly the Sikh community in Canada, have been stalked by fear, threats, harassment and violence— including extortion, violence and electoral interference all allegedly at the hands of Indian officials. Canada has long held credible evidence that the Narendra Modi government was involved in the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, and the United States has already indicted multiple individuals for related crimes—yet NDP had to fight just to have potential subversive activity by India included in the scope of the inquiry into Foreign Interference.

Since September 2023, at least 13 people have been warned by the RCMP of grave threats against them. The safety of Canadians has not yet been assured.

New Democrats’ main priority is to ensure that all Canadians are safe in our country – free from extortion, violence and electoral interference. In the interest of protecting Canadians and our country, I urge all leaders to get their security clearance and hold the Modi government accountable and refuse to look the other way.

We support today’s decision to expel India’s diplomats and we’re calling on the Government of Canada yet again to put diplomat sanctions against India in place, ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Network (RSS) in Canada, and commit to pursuing the most severe consequences for anyone found to have participated in organized criminal activity on Canadian soil.”