THE World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) on Tuesday condemned remarks made by India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, accusing Canadian national security agencies and law enforcement of corruption, political manipulation, and fabrication of allegations relating to Indian foreign interference and transnational repression in Canada.

The WSO noted that the comments come as Canada hosts what has been described as the largest ever Indian trade delegation to visit Canada, led by Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, amid ongoing discussions to deepen economic ties and advance a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Canada and India.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Patnaik made a series of scandalous allegations against Canadian institutions and officials, including:

• accusing CSIS of being “compromised”;
• alleging that Khalistan supporters had paid Canadian intelligence officials to fabricate claims against India;
• claiming the RCMP was investigating “fantasy” allegations regarding Indian involvement in crimes committed in Canada;
• suggesting the RCMP had been susceptible to political direction;
• denying that India had used diplomatic missions in Canada for covert or improper activities;
• dismissing allegations of Indian transnational repression and foreign interference as baseless.

The WSO pointed out that these remarks directly contradict public findings and statements from Canadian security agencies and senior 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.”

Canada’s National Security Adviser Nathalie Drouin testified before parliamentarians that India collected intelligence on Sikhs in Canada through diplomatic channels and proxies, which was then passed to Indian authorities linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Senior Canadian officials have also confirmed that India’s Home Minister Amit Shah directed campaigns of violence and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh activists in Canada.

The Final Report of the Foreign Interference Commission further warned: “India also uses disinformation as a key form of foreign interference against Canada, a tactic likely to be used more often in the future… India’s activities primarily target the approximately 800,000 members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada and aim to promote a pro-India and anti-Khalistan narrative.”

WSO President Danish Singh said: “The Indian High Commissioner’s ludicrous and scandalous accusations against Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies should outrage every Canadian. 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?

“India has been emboldened by Canada’s unwillingness to demand accountability for transnational repression and foreign interference.  

“Throughout this trade visit, Canada has avoided publicly confronting India on transnational repression, foreign interference, and violence targeting Sikhs in Canada. However India has doubled down, openly attacking Canada’s institutions and accusing this country of corruption and political manipulation. Is humiliation for Canada now the price of doing business with India?”

WSO called on the Government of Canada to summon India’s High Commissioner to formally address and retract these outrageous allegations against Canadian institutions and personnel. The WSO said that the Government of Canada must publicly defend the integrity of CSIS, the RCMP, and Canada’s national security agencies, and make clear that Indian attacks on Canadian sovereignty and institutions will not be tolerated.