Sikh Federation Canada condemns NSA Ajit Doval visit amid ongoing transnational repression and human rights violations

(Ottawa, ON: 29 Maagh, Nanakshahi 557 | February 11, 2026 CE) – Sikhs across the country are expressing deep concern regarding the Government of Canada’s decision to host India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, despite mounting evidence that Indian security officials have engaged in blatant foreign interference and widespread political violence, including transnational repression.

This visit takes place while multiple Canadian and international investigations continue to implicate Indian officials in activities that threaten the safety of Sikhs in Canada and undermine Canada’s institutions.

In September 2023, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Parliament that Canadian intelligence agencies had “credible allegations” linking agents of the Government of India to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh community leader. In October 2024, Canadian law-enforcement agencies publicly identified senior Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, as being connected to a wave of violence, extortion networks, and intimidation targeting Sikh activists in Canada.

Ajit Doval has been a central figure in India’s security apparatus for more than four decades. His record includes involvement in operations and policies widely criticized for human rights abuses, particularly against Sikhs. Doval held senior intelligence roles during genocidal counterinsurgency operations in Punjab, a period marked by:

• Extrajudicial killings
• Enforced disappearances
• Torture and illegal detentions
• Widespread impunity for security forces

Doval has been associated with policies that expanded surveillance, broadened counterterrorism powers, and normalized militarized policing. Critics argue these policies disproportionately targeted Sikhs, Kashmiris, Muslims, and other minorities.

The Washington Post reported in 2023 and 2024 that U.S. intelligence agencies assessed Indian officials to be involved in plots targeting Sikh activists abroad, including in North America. The reporting linked these operations to India’s national-security leadership structure, overseen by Ajit Doval. The article emphasized that such actions fall directly under the office of Ajit Doval and reflected concerns among U.S. officials about India’s increasingly aggressive overseas posture.

Sikh Federation National Spokesperson Bhai Moninder Singh stated “Despite clear evidence of Indian foreign interference, political violence, and threats to Sikhs in Canada, the Government of Canada continues to engage with Indian officials without meaningful accountability. This most recent visit of a senior Indian security official, Ajit Doval, without any public accountability or repercussions sends a clear message that Canada is willing to overlook extrajudicial assassinations, such as that of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and violations to its sovereignty in exchange for economic benefit.”

The Government of Canada’s press release about the meeting failed to even mention transnational repression in a further demonstration of the impunity being granted to Indian officials.  This approach undermines public trust, endangers targeted communities, and signals to foreign governments that interference and violence will not be met with consequences.

Sikhs across Canada call on the Government of Canada to:

• Suspend all high-level engagements with Indian security officials until adequate public accountability is achieved, which includes full transparency regarding Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination and the ongoing criminal investigations into the Bishnoi gang in Canada. 
• Continue the October 2024 Parliamentary study on “electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India” and ensure a final report is presented to the House of Commons. 
• Immediately suspend all security and intelligence agreements with India that can be misused to target political dissidents in violation of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 
• Bring all conspirators and perpetrators of criminal activity, associated with the Government of India, to justice. This includes their prosecution and sentencing to the full extent of the law, as well as the imposition of targeted sanctions against all senior officials believed to have been involved in violent crimes, including but not limited to, Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, former R&AW Chief Samant Goel, and NSA Ajit Doval.

Canada must uphold its commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and the safety of its citizens. Allowing individuals with documented histories of repression and foreign interference to visit Canada without consequence undermines public trust and the rights of all Canadians.

For media inquiries, please contact: info@sikhfederation.ca.