Transnational Crime – Diplomatic Reset and Global Crackdown

Transnational Crime Latest News

• Nearly three years after the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a major diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, Canadian authorities have stated that no evidence currently links the Indian government to the murder. 
• Simultaneously, the United States has charged gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar with orchestrating the assassination under a broader crackdown (Operation Hard Ball) on transnational organised crime.

Transnational Organised Crime 

• The term “organised crime” refers to illicit operations carried out by networks or groups that collaborate, frequently involving violence, corruption, or related acts in order to get material or financial advantage.
• When organisations or activities operate across several nations, it is known as transnational organised crime.

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Canada’s Revised Position

• It clarified that investigations have not found evidence implicating Indian government officials in Nijjar’s killing.
• However, the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not closed the case.
• This marks a significant shift from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation of a “potential link” between Indian agents and the assassination.
• India had consistently rejected the allegations as baseless, leading to one of the sharpest downturns in India-Canada diplomatic relations.
• Bilateral ties have gradually improved since (June) 2025, when both countries agreed to restore diplomatic engagement.

Background – The Hardeep Singh Nijjar Case

• Who was Nijjar?
  • Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Canadian resident since 1997.
  • He was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) – designated by India as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2023.
  • He was also the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, Canada.
  • Indian authorities accused Nijjar of:
    • Recruiting and financing Khalistani extremist activities.
    • Links to attacks, including the 2021 assault on a Hindu priest in Jalandhar.
    • Supporting activities during the 2020 farm law protests.
• Diplomatic fallout: Trudeau’s allegations in 2023 resulted in mutual expulsion of diplomats, suspension of several bilateral engagements, and significant deterioration in political and strategic relations.

US Charges Against Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar

• Federal indictment;
  • A US federal court has charged Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned in Gujarat; and Goldy Brar (Satinderjeet Singh), believed to be operating from North America.
  • The indictment alleges:
    • Bishnoi directed the murder from prison using smuggled mobile phones.
    • Goldy Brar coordinated operations in North America.
    • Nijjar was shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June 2023.
• Operation Hard Ball:
  • The charges form part of a major US-led investigation targeting Indian-origin transnational criminal syndicates involved in racketeering, extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking, murder, and organised corruption.
  • Key highlights: The FBI has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Goldy Brar’s arrest.

India-US Security Cooperation

• Strengthening intelligence sharing:
  • Before Operation Hard Ball, US law enforcement agencies held multiple meetings with Indian agencies through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
  • Information was exchanged regarding Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, Rohit Godara, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and other associates.
• India also shared:
  • Evidence against overseas-based gangsters.
  • Details of criminal networks operating from the US, Canada and Europe.
  • Technical surveillance inputs and interrogation-based intelligence.
• Cooperation intensified after the deportation of Anmol Bishnoi from the US in 2025.

Emerging Dimensions of Transnational Organised Crime

• Investigations reveal increasing convergence between organised crime and cross-border security threats.
• For example,
  • Indian-origin gangs maintain links with Pakistan-based narcotics smugglers.
  • Criminal networks finance targeted killings through drug trafficking.
  • Smuggling routes increasingly utilise maritime channels, and drones along the India-Pakistan border.
• Evading surveillance: Criminal groups employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), encrypted messaging platforms., and advanced digital communication technologies.

Broader Implications

• International relations: India-Canada diplomatic relations. Managing diplomatic disputes through evidence-based investigations. India-US cooperation on law enforcement and intelligence.
• Internal security: 
  • Cross-border narcotics trafficking, prison-based criminal operations, and cyber-enabled organised crime using encrypted technologies.
  • Expansion into international organised crime following the decline of older criminal syndicates led by Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan and Ravi Pujari.
• Governance and legal framework: UAPA, international police cooperation, intelligence sharing for combating organised crime, challenges in extradition and prosecution of overseas fugitives.

International Efforts

• The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is an international agreement that aims to prevent and combat organized crime across countries.
• The Guwahati Declaration was adopted by the BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Interpol, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are targeting the massive illicit profits generated by transnational organized crime.

Source: IE | IE