Canadian officials have admitted to leaking sensitive information about India’s foreign interference to The Washington Post, but these specifics were not shared with Canadians. This comes amid ongoing tensions between Canada and India, particularly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist.
National security and intelligence adviser Natalie Drouin confirmed that she leaked sensitive information about the Indian government’s alleged role in murder, extortion, and coercion to The Washington Post that was not shared with the Canadian public.
Drouin told the Commons public safety committee that she did not require Trudeau’s authorisation for the leak and insisted no classified intelligence was provided to the US publication the day before Ottawa expelled six Indian diplomats on Thanksgiving Day on October 13. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated that India was involved in the killing of three people, but he only identified the slaying of Nijjar.
Drouin said leaking of sensitive information was “part of a communications strategy” that she and Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison came up with to ensure that a major US publication got Canada’s side of its continuing foreign interference dispute with India. She also affirmed that “the communications strategy was seen by the Prime Minister’s Office.”
The RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said he didn’t tell the public about what The Washington Post reported because the information could affect continuing criminal investigations. He said that it is information as part of an investigation that normally we like to keep within but sometimes we do release some information.
India recalled six diplomats from Canada earlier this month after they were declared “persons of interest” by the Canadian government in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The ties between India and Canada soured after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he had “credible allegations” of India’s hand in the killing of Nijjar. India has denied all the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.
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Source: Lokmat Times
