Key facts
- India has affirmed its commitment to combating transnational organised crime.
- The statement follows a U.S. indictment of Indian gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi for directing the 2023 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
- India stated it would handle any extradition requests for Bishnoi according to established legal processes.
- New Delhi previously called allegations of its involvement in the killing 'absurd'.
India reiterated its commitment to collaborating with international partners to combat transnational organised crime, a week after the U.S. charged an Indian criminal gang leader with orchestrating the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, Canada. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged Indian government involvement in the killing, which severely strained relations between the two countries. India had dismissed these accusations as 'absurd'.
The U.S. recently charged Lawrence Bishnoi, an imprisoned Indian criminal gang leader, and his North American deputy with directing Nijjar's murder. Responding to questions about the U.S. indictment, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India and the U.S. maintain "strong and effective growing cooperation" on transnational organised crime. He emphasized India's dedication to working with partners through close law enforcement and security cooperation.
When asked about the potential extradition of Bishnoi, Jaiswal indicated that New Delhi would address any such request in accordance with "established legal obligations and judicial processes." An official from the U.S. Attorney's Office had previously confirmed they would seek Bishnoi's extradition. U.S. and Canadian officials have not repeated allegations of Indian government involvement or prior knowledge of Nijjar's assassination. Canada and India are currently working to mend their relationship, with plans to finalise a free trade agreement by the end of the year.