New Delhi: India Tuesday welcomed the indictment and enforcement action taken by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and other transnational criminal organisations, while underlining the growing cooperation between Indian and American security agencies.
“We have seen the announcements made by the US Department of Justice regarding the indictments and enforcement action against transnational organised criminal networks operating across several countries. India has consistently maintained that transnational organised crime, terrorism, narco-trafficking, human trafficking, illegal firearms trafficking and related criminal networks pose a serious threat to our societies,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said at a regular press briefing.
He added: “India and the United States enjoy strong and growing cooperation in combating terrorism as well as transnational organised crime. Our agencies have worked closely together over the years, and this cooperation continues to deepen.”
This is the first reaction by the MEA since the US DoJ unveiled its indictments against three transnational criminal organisations led by Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Ravinder Singh Dhanda last week. The investigations led by the US DoJ led to a number of arrests across North America of individuals allegedly affiliated to these criminal organisations. The indictments also revealed that Bishnoi was allegedly behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—the Sikh extremist designated a terrorist by India.
Nijjar was killed outside a gurdwara in Canada in June 2023. The Canadian government alleged that Indian government officials were involved in the killing. India has consistently rejected the allegation.
Following the unveiling of the US indictments, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) indicated that there were no links in the ongoing investigation between the killing of Nijjar and Indian government agents.
“We have noted the remarks made by RCMP Deputy Commissioner. These remarks are consistent with the recently unsealed US indictment which attributes responsibility to the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime group (the killing of Nijjar). India remains committed to working with our partners in combating terrorism and transnational organised crime through close law enforcement and security cooperation,” said Jaiswal.
The allegations against India made by then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cratered ties between New Delhi and Ottawa. Ties have since stabilised in the aftermath of Mark Carney becoming the Prime Minister of Canada in March 2025. Carney even travelled to India in March 2026.
India and Canada have bifurcated security cooperation from the larger political and economic relationship. The two countries maintain close security cooperation at the appropriate level.
The US also indicated that it will seek the extradition of individuals related to the indictment who are currently in India. Asked about it, Jaiswal said that extradition matters are “legal issues” and will be dealt with appropriately.
Bishnoi and Bhagwanpuria are currently lodged in Indian jails. The US alleges despite their incarceration, they have been able to continue leading their respective criminal organisations.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)