THE World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) said on Monday that it is deeply disturbed by the Government of India’s appointment of Parag Jain as the new head of India’s foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
It said: “Jain was posted to Canada from approximately 2016 to 2018 and was accused of activities targeting Sikhs in Canada. Jain’s appointment underscores India’s ongoing disregard for Canada’s concerns and its refusal to curb foreign interference or transnational repression.”
The WSO said that Jain is a 1989-batch Punjab-cadre Indian Police Service officer who has been implicated in serious human rights abuses in India and espionage operations in Canada. As Superintendent of Police in Patiala in 1993, he was named in the abduction and extrajudicial killing of 19-year-old Sukhdev Singh. The incident, involving torture and a secret cremation, is documented in Ensaaf’s Crimes Against Humanity database. Jain has never been held accountable.
The WSO said: “Despite this troubling record, Jain was sent on secondment to Canada in 2015 as a “Counsellor (Community Affairs)” at India’s High Commission in Ottawa. While his official title related to community and consular affairs, investigations have revealed that Jain was running an undeclared intelligence operation targeting Sikh Canadians. According to reporting by The Bureau, Jain and Amar Jit Singh, coordinated networks that sought to infiltrate Sikh gurdwaras and organizations, surveil community members, and influence Canadian electoral ridings.”
(The Times of India, reporting on Jain’s appointment, said: “In Canada, he monitored the activities of Khalistani terror modules operating from foreign soil, further strengthening his credentials as a neighbourhood specialist.” The Indian Express said: “During his stint in Canada prior to being posted in Lanka, Jain dealt with Khalistan terrorism, sources said.” The Hindustan Times said: “During the Canada posting, he had also taken on the Khalistan ecosystem there and had repeatedly warned Delhi that it was morphing into something dangerous.”)
WSO President Danish Singh said: “The appointment of Parag Jain, whose espionage activities targeted Sikhs in Canada until the end of his diplomatic posting in Ottawa in 2018, signals that India is doubling down on its campaign of transnational repression. This is not the behavior of a government interested in restoring diplomatic ties. It is a clear message that India remains committed to targeting Sikhs and will promote and protect those who carry out its foreign interference agenda.
“Canada must also clarify how and why Indian police officers accused of extrajudicial murders can be appointed to Canada and what steps will be taken to ensure individuals with such backgrounds are never allowed to operate here again.
“Prime Minister Carney cannot pretend that restoring relations with India is possible while Indian officials responsible for espionage and repression here are being elevated to the top of India’s intelligence services. There must be accountability.”
