Canada tells India it will not tolerate foreign interference or transnational repression

A senior Public Safety official said Canada has warned Indian officials that it will not tolerate transnational repression or illegal diplomatic activity, replying to concerns raised by Sikhs for Justice.

In a written reply to Sikhs for Justice, Public Safety Canada’s assistant deputy minister Richard Bilodeau reiterated that Canada has communicated a "zero tolerance" policy to senior Indian officials regarding transnational repression and unlawful diplomatic conduct. The letter, which did not disclose how many times the message had been conveyed, came after the advocacy group warned in June of persistent intimidation of Sikh Canadians supporting a Khalistan referendum.

Bilodeau highlighted Canada’s ongoing constructive engagement with India and its intent to uphold rule of law, judicial independence, and non-interference, while expanding targeted mitigation and legislative tools. Sikhs for Justice’s general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun dismissed the assurances, pointing to police “duty to warn” notices and past assassination plots tied to Indian intelligence. The exchange follows UN special rapporteurs’ concerns about a broader pattern of Indian transnational repression and the Canadian government’s efforts to improve trade ties under Prime Minister Mark Carney despite security warnings.