Ottawa Won't Say If It's Backing Away From India Accusation in Nijjar Murder

U.S. prosecutors named gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi as the architect of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's 2023 Surrey killing, a theory centring organized crime rather than Indian state action. Canada's Public Safety Ministry refuses to confirm whether its longstanding position—that Indian agents were involved—has shifted. The distinction shapes both the criminal trial starting next summer and diplomatic efforts to rebuild Canada-India ties.