India and Canada reportedly held a secret five-hour meeting to discuss the growing concerns around the activities of the Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal syndicate operating across both countries. The meeting, which took place in a confidential setting earlier this month, comes at a time when relations between the two nations are strained following the diplomatic standoff over the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani separatist leader.
The Context of the Meeting
The secret meeting is believed to have been organized in response to escalating criminal activities linked to the Bishnoi gang, which has been at the center of high-profile crimes in both India and Canada. According to reports, both governments agreed to hold the discussions discreetly, given the delicate nature of their relations and the urgency to address the growing influence of transnational criminal networks.
The Bishnoi gang, named after its leader Lawrence Bishnoi, has gained notoriety for its involvement in organized crime, including extortion, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. In recent months, the gang’s influence has extended beyond India’s borders, with Canadian authorities expressing growing concern about the gang’s operations within its own jurisdiction, particularly in relation to drug-related offenses and cross-border crimes.
Growing Threat of the Bishnoi Gang
Lawrence Bishnoi, the gang’s leader, has been behind bars in India, but his criminal network has continued to thrive. The gang first grabbed international headlines following the high-profile murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, an incident that shocked India and revealed the gang’s far-reaching connections. Since then, the Bishnoi gang has expanded its criminal footprint, allegedly maintaining a network that spans continents, with operatives in countries like Canada, where a large Indian diaspora resides.
Indian intelligence agencies have flagged the Bishnoi gang as a serious national security threat, not only for its involvement in violent crime but also due to its connections with drug cartels and other international criminal organizations. These concerns have led to growing pressure on Indian authorities to crack down on the syndicate.
The gang’s activities in Canada have drawn significant attention, particularly in light of the growing presence of Indian-origin gangs in the Canadian underworld. Reports suggest that the Bishnoi gang has been involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and other illicit activities, making it a key target for Canadian law enforcement.
Diplomatic Tensions and the Nijjar Killing
The timing of the secret meeting is crucial, as diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been severely strained over recent months. The tension escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani activist, in June 2023 in British Columbia. India vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and politically motivated,” and both countries took steps that affected diplomatic ties, including the expulsion of diplomats.
Despite the diplomatic fallout, the meeting on the Bishnoi gang indicates that both governments recognize the need for cooperation on certain law enforcement and security issues. Organized crime, particularly involving networks like the Bishnoi gang, poses a mutual threat to the safety and security of citizens in both countries, making such cooperation essential, even as broader diplomatic tensions persist.
Focus of the Discussions
While official details of the meeting remain under wraps, sources familiar with the discussions indicate that both countries focused on developing strategies to combat the Bishnoi gang’s cross-border criminal activities. This includes sharing intelligence, tracking financial networks linked to the gang’s operations, and identifying key operatives in Canada.
Canadian law enforcement agencies have reportedly been concerned about the gang’s ability to exploit the open border with the United States for drug trafficking, and how the gang’s network could facilitate violent crimes within Canadian cities. India, meanwhile, is keen to ensure that Bishnoi’s associates operating overseas are monitored and brought to justice.
A Path Forward Amid Tensions?
The secret meeting, though focused on the Bishnoi gang, also signals a possible opening for the two countries to collaborate on other security issues despite their strained diplomatic ties. Experts believe that while the relationship between India and Canada remains fragile, mutual concerns over organized crime could pave the way for more constructive dialogues in the future.
“Even in times of diplomatic strain, national security and public safety issues often necessitate cooperation,” said a senior analyst specializing in Indo-Canadian relations. “The Bishnoi gang is a major concern for both countries, and tackling it requires collaboration on intelligence and law enforcement fronts.”
The five-hour-long secret meeting between India and Canada underscores the complex interplay between diplomacy and security. While political tensions over the Nijjar incident continue to dominate headlines, the two countries have recognized the urgent need to address the growing threat posed by the Bishnoi gang. As the gang’s transnational operations expand, cooperation between the two nations remains vital for safeguarding both Indian and Canadian citizens from the violence and instability caused by organized crime.
The outcome of this secret dialogue could be a key indicator of whether future collaboration on other critical security matters is possible, even as broader diplomatic challenges remain unresolved.