OTTAWA — The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has issued a statement strongly condemning recent remarks made by India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, in which he accused Canadian national security agencies and law enforcement of corruption, political manipulation, and fabricating allegations of Indian foreign interference. A copy of the written release is available with the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).
The diplomatic friction occurs against the backdrop of Canada hosting what is being described as the largest-ever Indian trade delegation to the country. Led by Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the delegation is currently engaged in discussions aimed at deepening economic ties and advancing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two nations.
Allegations Against Canadian Institutions
According to the WSO release, High Commissioner Patnaik made a series of highly controversial claims during a recent interview with The Globe and Mail. Among the allegations, Patnaik reportedly:
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Accused the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) of being “compromised.”
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Alleged that Khalistan supporters had financially compensated Canadian intelligence officials to fabricate claims against India.
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Claimed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was investigating “fantasy” allegations regarding Indian involvement in domestic crimes.
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Suggested the RCMP was susceptible to political direction.
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Denied that India utilized its diplomatic missions in Canada for covert activities and dismissed all allegations of transnational repression as baseless.
Contradictions with Canadian Security Findings
The WSO highlighted that the High Commissioner’s remarks stand in direct contradiction to extensive public findings and testimonies from senior Canadian officials.
The recently released CSIS Public Report 2025 confirmed that India has engaged in “transnational repression activities, such as surveillance and other coercive tactics meant to suppress criticism of the Government of India and create fear in the community.” Furthermore, Canada’s National Security Adviser, Nathalie Drouin, recently testified that Indian authorities collected intelligence on Sikhs in Canada via diplomatic channels and proxies, subsequently passing this information to entities linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Additionally, the Final Report of the Foreign Interference Commission warned that India increasingly relies on disinformation to target the approximately 800,000 members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada.
WSO Demands Government Action
Reacting to the interview, WSO President Danish Singh issued a strong rebuke of the Indian envoy’s comments, questioning Canada’s passive stance amid the ongoing trade talks.
“The Indian High Commissioner’s ludicrous and scandalous accusations against Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies should outrage every Canadian,” Singh stated. “Mr. Patnaik has accused CSIS of corruption, suggested Canadian intelligence officers are taking bribes, and dismissed RCMP investigations into violence and foreign interference as ‘fantasy.’ How are these attacks on Canada’s institutions acceptable?”
Singh further argued that Canada’s reluctance to aggressively address these issues has only encouraged further diplomatic overreach.
“India has been emboldened by Canada’s unwillingness to demand accountability for transnational repression and foreign interference,” Singh added. “Is humiliation for Canada now the price of doing business with India?”
The WSO concluded its statement by formally calling on the Government of Canada to summon India’s High Commissioner to address and retract the allegations. The organization is urging Canadian leadership to publicly defend the integrity of the RCMP and CSIS, and to unequivocally state that attacks on Canadian sovereignty will not be tolerated.
