Officials At Ottawa Admits Of Leaking ‘Intel’ Against India

The diplomatic row between India and Canada takes a new turn as senior officials in the Trudeau administration at Ottawa have admitted leaking intelligence about India to US media before its domestic disclosure.

During a parliamentary panel session, Nathalie Drouin, Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and David Morrison, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that they shared information with The Washington Post before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly implicated India in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The intelligence, deemed non-classified, was part of a “communications strategy” to present Canada’s stance on India, according to local media.

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Drouin revealed that the decision was coordinated with Morrison and previewed by the Prime Minister’s Office, although it didn’t require Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s direct approval. The disclosure, she said, aimed to outline Canada’s concerns over alleged Indian activities targeting Canadian citizens, including threats to lives.

This leak preceded Canada’s Thanksgiving on October 14, just before Canada expelled six Indian diplomats after Ottawa designated India’s High Commissioner and other officials as  “persons of interest” in Nijjar’s murder probe. The RCMP also leveled accusations against India on the same day.

Ottawa Questioned For Leaking “Intel” Against India

Drouin and Morrison faced questions from the parliamentary panel on why they provided sensitive information to the American press instead of Canadian citizens. Conservative public safety critic Raquel Dancho criticized the move, calling it “unfair to the Canadian public.” RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme supported Drouin’s decision, stating that the information was unclassified and withheld to protect ongoing investigations.

New Delhi has consistently accused Trudeau’s government of enabling violent extremists, citing harassment and threats to Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. On October 13, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reportedly met his Canadian counterpart in Singapore, where Canadian officials presented evidence linking India with the Bishnoi gang to target Sikh separatists in Canada.

As diplomatic tensions escalate, Canada’s strategy to involve the American media has drawn criticism at home, highlighting the strained relationship between Ottawa and New Delhi.