In a chilling revelation that underscores the breadth of India’s global repression, former R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing) officer RK Yadav has publicly admitted to India’s direct involvement in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His remarks go beyond an acknowledgment of a single act of violence; they confirm a deliberate and systematic campaign to surveil, intimidate, and neutralize Sikh activists abroad. Yadav’s candid statements have sparked outrage and raised significant concerns about India’s disregard for international law, exposing the country’s aggressive tactics to suppress dissent among the diaspora. 

Yadav’s admission is not an isolated incident; it is a reflection of India’s long-standing approach to quelling opposition. This campaign has included assassinations, partnerships with local criminal networks, disinformation campaigns, and the misuse of diplomatic immunity. For the Sikh diaspora, these revelations validate decades of warnings about India’s covert operations. For foreign governments, they underscore the urgent need to address a threat that undermines sovereignty, endangers lives, and violates the principles of democracy. 

RK Yadav is a former intelligence officer with India’s R&AW, the external intelligence agency responsible for covert operations and gathering foreign intelligence. Yadav is known for his controversial memoir Mission R&AW, in which he provides glimpses into the agency’s clandestine activities. While his writing often veers into self-promotion, Yadav has historically balanced his critiques of R&AW’s operations with loyalty to the Indian state. However, his recent comments on the Nijjar assassination cross a significant line. Yadav not only admitted to India’s involvement but openly endorsed ongoing surveillance and targeting of Sikh activists abroad. His statements suggest that India is prepared to continue its campaign of violence against its critics, regardless of international norms or host country sovereignty. 

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a respected Sikh leader and advocate for Khalistan, was assassinated in Surrey, Canada, in June 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later accused India of orchestrating the killing, citing credible intelligence gathered by Canadian agencies. The revelation marked a watershed moment, as it brought India’s transnational repression into sharp focus. Yadav’s statements not only confirm India’s role but suggest a larger pattern of state-sponsored violence targeting dissenters in the Sikh diaspora. 

Nijjar’s killing was not an isolated incident but the culmination of years of intimidation and threats faced by Sikh activists in Canada and other countries. Yadav’s chilling remark—“Do you think anyone else will create problems now?”—underscores the intended message of fear and suppression. By openly stating that Indian intelligence has identified and surveilled Sikh activists globally, Yadav alludes to a broader strategy of targeted assassinations and transnational repression that extends far beyond Nijjar’s case. 

The RCMP and Canadian intelligence agencies have previously documented India’s use of criminal networks to intimidate Sikh activists in Canada. These networks, often composed of gang members and violent criminals, operate under the direction of Indian intelligence to carry out acts of intimidation, extortion, and, in some cases, murder. Diplomatic immunity has also been exploited, as Indian consular officials coordinate these operations under the guise of legitimate diplomatic activity. 

India’s actions are not limited to Canada. Similar tactics have been reported in the UK, the US, and Australia, where Sikh activists and community leaders have faced threats, disinformation campaigns, and harassment. Yadav’s admission aligns with the findings of reports like the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) and SITE, which detail India’s expansive use of propaganda and misinformation to suppress dissent and manipulate narratives in host countries. 

For decades, the Sikh diaspora has warned of India’s covert operations targeting activists abroad. These warnings were often dismissed as paranoia or political posturing, but Yadav’s statements vindicate the community’s concerns. Sikh activists in Canada, the UK, and other Western democracies now face a dual threat: the overt risk of violence and the insidious impact of disinformation campaigns that seek to discredit their activism. 

India’s tactics are designed not just to silence dissent but to isolate the Sikh community by labeling them as extremists or terrorists. This framing has real-world consequences, as it influences public opinion, policymaking, and law enforcement responses in host countries. The diaspora is left to navigate an environment where their advocacy for justice and human rights is met with suspicion and hostility, exacerbated by the Indian state’s disinformation efforts. 

Yadav’s admissions should serve as a wake-up call for governments worldwide. India’s campaign of transnational repression represents a direct challenge to the sovereignty of host nations. By operating on foreign soil to surveil, intimidate, and harm activists, India undermines the principles of democracy and rule of law. 

Canada, which has been at the center of this controversy, faces a critical juncture. The Nijjar assassination exposed significant gaps in Canada’s ability to respond to foreign interference. The Canadian government must prioritize stronger safeguards against such interference, including stricter monitoring of diplomatic missions, enhanced protections for targeted communities, and greater transparency in intelligence sharing. 

The implications extend beyond Canada. The UK, which has also faced allegations of Indian interference, must address its own failures to protect Sikh activists. Similarly, the US and Australia must reevaluate their diplomatic and intelligence relationships with India to ensure accountability and safeguard their citizens. 

Yadav’s remarks highlight the centrality of disinformation in India’s transnational repression. By labeling Sikh activists as extremists and linking their advocacy to terrorism, India creates a narrative that justifies its actions and silences criticism. Reports like the RRM and the EU Disinformation Lab have documented how India employs fake news outlets, social media bots, and state-aligned influencers to spread propaganda. These tactics aim to discredit Sikh activism, sow division within diaspora communities, and distract from India’s own human rights abuses. 

Yadav’s statements also raise questions about the complicity of social media platforms and Western governments in allowing these campaigns to flourish. The failure to address disinformation not only harms targeted communities but erodes trust in democratic institutions and processes. 

Yadav’s revelations underscore the urgent need for action. Governments must hold India accountable for its transnational repression, including targeted assassinations, disinformation campaigns, and violations of diplomatic norms. This accountability must go beyond rhetoric to include tangible measures such as sanctions, expulsions of complicit diplomats, and stricter monitoring of foreign missions. 

For the Sikh diaspora, Yadav’s comments are both a confirmation of their fears and a call to resilience. The fight for justice, human rights, and recognition of historical injustices cannot be silenced by intimidation or violence. Instead, it is a reminder to amplify their voices, build coalitions, and demand accountability from both the Indian state and host governments. 

Yadav’s admissions reveal a disturbing truth: India’s campaign of transnational repression is not a series of isolated incidents but a deliberate, global strategy. The world can no longer afford to ignore the threat it poses to democracy, human rights, and the safety of vulnerable communities. The time to act is now. 

by: Noorfateh Kaur