India says committed to combating organised crime after US indictment in Canada murder case

NEW DELHI: India said on Tuesday that it is committed to working with its partners to combat transnational organised crime, a week after the U.S. charged the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang with directing the 2023 murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Canada’s Surrey, and then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged Indian involvement in his killing, badly damaging ties between the countries.

India had termed the accusations “absurd”.

The U.S. last week charged Indian criminal gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi and his North American deputy with directing the murder.

India and the U.S. enjoy “strong and effective growing cooperation” on transnational organised crime, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, when asked about the U.S. indictment.

Also read: US charges imprisoned Indian gang leader with ordering 2023 murder of Canadian Sikh separatist

India remains committed to working with its partners in combating transnational organised crime through close law enforcement and security cooperation, he told a regular media briefing on Tuesday.

Asked about the possibility of Bishnoi’s extradition, Jaiswal said New Delhi would deal with any such request according to “established legal obligations and judicial processes” applicable in the case.

An official at the U.S. Attorney’s Office had replied in the affirmative last week when asked if they would seek Bishnoi’s extradition.

U.S. and Canadian officials did not reiterate any allegations that the Indian government was involved in or had prior knowledge of Nijjar’s killing.

Ottawa and New Delhi have been working to restore ties in recent months and are aiming to conclude a free trade pact by the end of this year.