India reiterated its commitment to combating transnational organised crime on Tuesday, responding to recent U.S. criminal charges that tie an imprisoned Indian gang leader to the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
At a regular media briefing, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi and Washington have "strong and effective growing cooperation" on tackling organised crime that crosses borders. He emphasised that India remains committed to working with its partners "through close law enforcement and security cooperation."
The remarks come after U.S. prosecutors last week charged Lawrence Bishnoi - described in U.S. filings as the imprisoned head of an Indian criminal gang - and his North American deputy with directing the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, Canada. The killing prompted then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to publicly allege Indian involvement, a charge New Delhi had earlier dismissed as "absurd." U.S. and Canadian officials, in subsequent statements, did not repeat suggestions that the Indian government had been involved in or had prior knowledge of Nijjar's killing.
When asked about the possibility of Bishnoi's extradition, Jaiswal said New Delhi would handle any request in accordance with "established legal obligations and judicial processes" applicable to the case. A U.S. Attorney's Office official had indicated last week that they would seek extradition when asked.
The comments from the foreign ministry underline India's stated preference for addressing such matters through legal channels and bilateral law enforcement cooperation rather than through public accusation or diplomatic confrontation.
Separately, the statement noted ongoing efforts to normalise ties between Ottawa and New Delhi. Officials from the two capitals have been working to restore diplomatic relations in recent months, and both sides are aiming to finalise a free trade agreement by the end of the year.
Jaiswal's briefing reiterated that India intends to continue engaging with partner countries on transnational organised crime while respecting established judicial frameworks for any extradition and related legal steps.