Canada’s top police official has said that recent investigations have found no link between the Indian government and violent or criminal activities in the country. The statement comes shortly after efforts by both nations to improve diplomatic relations following a long period of tension.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme clarified that ongoing probes do not show any involvement of Indian authorities in criminal cases being investigated in Canada. His remarks suggest a shift from earlier concerns raised by Canadian officials regarding foreign interference and alleged transnational repression linked to India.

Canada had earlier accused India of being involved in activities such as threats, intimidation, and even alleged killings on its soil. These accusations had significantly strained relations between the two countries. However, Duheme now said that current findings do not support those earlier claims. In an interview with CTV News, he stated, "We’re not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity."

He further explained that while there are cases where individuals have reported harassment or intimidation, investigators have not been able to establish a connection to any foreign government. "Connecting the dots to a foreign entity—we don’t have that," he added, indicating that evidence linking such activities to India is currently lacking.

The issue of foreign interference was a major point of conflict between India and Canada in recent years. A report by a Canadian commission that alleged election meddling by the Indian government had worsened already strained ties. India consistently denied these allegations and maintained that it has never interfered in Canada’s internal affairs.

Duheme also addressed concerns related to criminal networks operating in Canada. He said that not all extortion cases reported in cities such as Surrey, Brampton, and Calgary can be linked to the well-known Lawrence Bishnoi gang. According to him, some individuals falsely use the gang’s name to create fear. He made it clear that there is no confirmed evidence connecting these criminal activities to the Indian government.

The commissioner’s remarks are in line with the current position of the Canadian government led by Mark Carney. The government has indicated that there is no present link between India and violent activities in Canada. This marks a significant change from the earlier stance taken by Ottawa.

The issue had escalated sharply in 2023 when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Indian agents were allegedly involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Trudeau made the statement without presenting concrete evidence, which led to strong reactions from India.

India firmly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. The situation quickly worsened with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats. This diplomatic standoff created a deep freeze in bilateral relations and affected cooperation on several fronts.

In recent months, however, there have been clear signs of improvement. Meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mark Carney have helped in easing tensions. Carney’s visit to India and his public statements have signalled a willingness to rebuild ties. After meeting Modi, Carney said, "We are one family," highlighting efforts to reset relations at a time when Canada’s ties with the United States are facing challenges under Donald Trump.

Senior Canadian officials have also suggested that concerns about Indian interference are no longer as strong as before. One official reportedly noted that Carney’s visit to India would not have taken place if such activities were still ongoing.

Duheme also explained that earlier claims made in 2024 were based on the evidence available at that time. As investigations have progressed, the findings have changed. He said, "What we’re seeing right now, the dots don’t always connect to a foreign entity," reinforcing the idea that current evidence does not support earlier suspicions.

The latest statements from Canadian authorities indicate a clear shift in approach. While concerns about criminal activities and public safety remain, there is now no confirmed link tying them to the Indian government. This development is likely to support ongoing diplomatic efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation between the two countries.