NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has received a classified intelligence briefing that points to India’s role in the killing of a prominent Sikh activist in B.C. last June. “It was very clear […] that there is credible information that the Indian government was involved,” he said, adding that he doesn’t think details should be made public for now because it could compromise the criminal investigation. [node:read-more:link]
Expelled from the UN Human Rights Council after invading Ukraine, Russia is applying to rejoin for a three-year term despite the fact that President Vladimir Putin and his military stand accused of war crimes. In its application, Russia seeks to stop the council becoming an “instrument which serves political wills of one group of countries.” [node:read-more:link]
The Open Mind Insititute, a research group which tackles disinformation and propaganda, says the results of a recent poll highlight the fact that economically-pinched Russians foresee an even gloomier future due to fallout from the Ukraine invasion. However, the polling data also indicate that some elements of the population are resolutely supportive of their government. [node:read-more:link]
Commenting on the diplomatic fallout from Prime Minister Trudeau’s explosive allegation that India was involved in the murder of a B.C. Sikh activist last June, Defence Minister Bill Blair said September 23 that a criminal investigation is more appropriate. “Move beyond credible intelligence to evidence […] of exactly what happened so that we and the Indian government can know the truth, have the facts and then work together to resolve it.” [node:read-more:link]
French President Emmanuel Macron said September 23 that he will withdraw diplomatic staff and 1,500 troops from Niger in “the months and weeks to come” with a full pullout “by the end of the year.” Military leaders who overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July have been pressing for a withdrawal. [node:read-more:link]
The federal government has topped up assistance for Ukraine with a $650-million deal to supply 50 armoured vehicles over three years. The announcement coincided with a commitment to send personnel to train Ukrainian fighter pilots, an updated trade deal, more funding for Ukrainian mental health programs, and extended Russian sanctions. [node:read-more:link]
As Canada’s diplomatic row with India continues over Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegation that Indian agents were involved in the killing of a Sikh activist in B.C. last June, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada has confirmed that “shared intelligence […] helped lead Canada to making the statements that the Prime Minister made.” [node:read-more:link]
Canada reportedly amassed domestic and foreign intelligence during a months-long investigation of the killing last June of a B.C. Sikh activist branded a “terrorist” by India. Prime Minister Trudeau’s suggestion that India was involved set off a diplomatic row but his National Security & Intelligence Adviser was in India in August and again this month ahead of the PM’s meeting with his Indian counterpart during which Trudeau shared his concerns. [node:read-more:link]
Five Bulgarians accused of spying for Russia are scheduled to appear in a London courtroom September 26. Arrested after a police investigation, they are alleged to have worked for Russian security services by, among other things, conducting operations in the UK and Europe. [node:read-more:link]
Authorities in Hong Kong have extradited to the U.S. a man accused of shuttling sensitive microelectronics into Russia amidst its invasion of Ukraine. Maxim Marchenko, originally from Russia, faces several charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to commit wire fraud and smuggling. [node:read-more:link]
Canada is pulling some diplomats out of India as tensions continue to rise over allegations that India’s government may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh activist in B.C. “With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement,” GAC says. Canada has a High Commission in New Delhi and consulates in Bangalore, Chandigarh and Mumbai. [node:read-more:link]
Amidst a diplomatic dispute over what it said are market-destabilizing grain exports, Poland is no longer supplying Soviet-era weapons to its neighbour, preferring instead to re-equip its own forces. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was responding September 20 to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s complaint that some his country’s allies were “making a thriller from grain [node:read-more:link]
Canada’s diplomatic rift with India widened today when India suspended visa processing services at offices in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa. “Operational reasons” were cited by the agency which handles applications. [node:read-more:link]
The UN was criticized today by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not fulfilling its fundamental obligation in dealing with Russia’s invasion. Calling for Russia to be stripped of its Security Council veto, he said “it is impossible to stop the war because all actions are vetoed by the aggressor.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated a claim that the West had staged a “coup” in Ukraine to install a pro-Western president. [node:read-more:link]
Indian citizens and students have been advised by their government to “exercise extreme caution” amid “growing anti-India activities” in Canada. It’s the latest development in rising tensions after Prime Minister Trudeau said Indian agents may have been involved in the murder of a Sikh activist in B.C. last June. [node:read-more:link]
