In a notable shift, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have gone from saying there is no evidence of foreign interference linked to specific governments one day to acknowledging that foreign states are indeed engaging in harassment and intimidation the other day.Just days after RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme declared that investigators had found no links between incidents of harassment and intimidation in Canada and any foreign government, the force issued a clarification on April 1.In the past, Canada has accused Indian agencies of using network of Lawrence Bishnoi in carrying out killings in Canada.“The RCMP is aware of complaints of intimidation and harassment against certain communities across Canada. The RCMP, and the broader Government of Canada, is also aware that foreign states are engaging in such activities in Canada,” the statement read. It added, however, that “establishing a direct link to a foreign entity with information that can be disclosed in a criminal proceeding is a complex process”.This comes after Commissioner Duheme told CTV News on March 19 that in files related to transnational repression and foreign interference, “we’re not seeing any connection right now with any foreign entity”. He had stressed that while such incidents continue, investigators could not “connect the dots to a foreign entity”.The apparent change in stance has been noted positively in New Delhi as both countries work to repair strained ties.BackgroundIndia-Canada relations had plunged after the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The Canadian authorities, including the RCMP, alleged possible involvement of Indian agents or proxies in violence and extortion, targeting Sikh separatist figures in Canada. A central part of Ottawa’s claims focused on the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which Canada accused of acting on behalf of Indian interests and designated as a terrorist entity in September 2025.New Delhi has firmly rejected these allegations as baseless and politically motivated, repeatedly urging Canada to act against Khalistani extremists on its soil and to process pending extradition requests linked to the Bishnoi network.In the same March interview, Commissioner Duheme had also pointed out that some extortion threats appeared to have come from “copycats” merely invoking the Bishnoi name without any real connection.Despite the earlier tensions, both nations have been steadily rebuilding relations. High Commissioners were reinstated in September 2025, followed by high-level talks between National Security Advisers and Foreign Ministers. A joint statement in October 2025 laid out a “New Roadmap” for cooperation on trade, security and respect for sovereignty. This momentum continued with a Leaders’ Statement on March 2, 2026, signalling commitment to stronger bilateral ties, including advancement towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.