After years of strained relations, Canada and India are preparing to restart trade talks following a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in South Africa. It marks a dramatic shift from the diplomatic freeze that began in 2023, when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
That tension intensified last year when the RCMP alleged that foreign agents were connected to a series of homicides, extortion schemes, and threats targeting Canada’s South Asian community. Despite renewed diplomatic dialogue, Canadian security officials say the danger has not disappeared. The director of CSIS recently confirmed that the threat landscape remains active.
More Than 100 Extortion Reports in B.C.’s Lower Mainland
According to police, over 100 extortion reports were filed in B.C.’s Lower Mainland within the past year. Many cases involved gunfire at homes and businesses, Molotov cocktail attacks, targeted property damage, and repeated threats demanding money. For families and business owners across Surrey, Abbotsford, Delta and beyond, the fear is real and ongoing.
CBC journalists Baneet Braich, reporting from Abbotsford, and Evan Dyer, reporting from Ottawa, have been closely tracking the crisis. Their coverage explores what is happening on the ground, who may be responsible, and why these crimes are escalating despite major law enforcement crackdowns.
The Larger Context: Security Warnings and Shifting Diplomacy
Investigators have tried to piece together connections between organized crime networks, international influence, and local targets. While concrete proof remains limited, security officials say the patterns are concerning — and in some cases linked to overseas actors.
Meanwhile, the broader geopolitical backdrop is shifting. Canada and India, once locked in a diplomatic standoff, are now signalling a willingness to repair relations through renewed trade negotiations. Experts say the thaw may help open channels for cooperation, but the criminal activity occurring in Canadian communities remains a pressing concern.
What Comes Next
As gunshots, arson and extortion continue to impact B.C. neighbourhoods, community members are calling for more transparency, more protection, and more accountability. Law enforcement agencies say dedicated teams are working to identify suspects, prevent further attacks, and support families intimidated by these threats.
CBC’s ongoing coverage aims to provide clarity amid the uncertainty — breaking down both the violence on the streets and the diplomacy playing out on the world stage.
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