The Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail revealed shocking revelations on Tuesday that Canada’s National Security Adviser, Nathalie Drouin, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison were the ones who leaked sensitive intelligence about India’s so-called “criminal activities” on Canadian soil to The Washington Post.’
The information leaked days before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued a statement officially accusing India of targeting Sikh Separatist terrorists in Canada. According to the media reports, the briefing to The Washington Post was not intended to be disclosed publicly until the official RCMP statement was released. In the briefing, the Canadian officials provided details of the allegations against India’s Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, for his involvement in attacks on Sikh Separatist elements and intelligence-gathering operations on Canadian soil.
Notably, on 14th October, Commissioner Duheme and Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin claimed to have ‘clear evidence’ against Indian officials for their involvement in “violent crimes”. They did not release any details, saying that the investigation was ongoing and that information and court proceedings needed protection.
Duheme never acknowledged Sukhdool’s murder as being linked to India, nor did the RCMP reveal any such information. It was reported by WaPo, making it clear that they got the information from Canadian officials. None of this evidence has been shared with India despite the Indian government asking the Canadian authorities to share any proof that they have to claim that it was the Indian government that was behind the murder of criminal elements in Canada.
The revelation by Globe and Mail has highlighted how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s stance on leaks has been very much inconsistent in this matter. Last week, Trudeau condemned leaks of classified information about China, calling them harmful to the country’s institutions.
‘I learned about them in the media after a criminal leaked that classified information’, he had said. However, about the recent leaks concerning India, the Canadian authorities have remained mute. According to the media reports, sensitive information was provided on a silver platter to The Washington Post about the allegations against Home Minister Shah, accusing him of involvement in attacks on Sikh Separatists, including Sukhdool Singh Gill. Nevertheless, Canada has not laid any charges against Home Minister Shah so far.
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