The United States has charged imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associate for the 2023 murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. This highlights that the killing was orchestrated by a transnational crime syndicate, not the Indian government. Bishnoi, the 33-year-old leader of the “Bishnoi Gang,” is known for his involvement in high-profile crimes in India and abroad.
The murder of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader advocating for Khalistan, led to a diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and New Delhi. Former accusations had strained relations, with Canadian authorities initially linking Indian government agents to the murder. However, the United States’ indictment does not implicate the Indian government in Nijjar’s assassination.
The indictment reveals that Bishnoi allegedly orchestrated the plot from his cell in India, while his associate oversaw operations in North America. Reports confirm that the investigation found no evidence of Indian officials’ involvement in the crimes. This development shifts the focus from state involvement to organized crime networks in Nijjar’s killing.
Canada’s The Globe and Mail described the murder and ensuing controversy as a trigger for a geopolitical crisis. The US indictment against Bishnoi and his associates does not support the notion of Indian government agents being behind the assassination. Recent efforts have seen a normalization in relations between Canada and India, with diplomatic ties being restored and dialogues on various fronts resuming.
