India accused of foreign interference by Canadian intelligence: Report
The report was released shortly after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney held talks during the G7 summit in Alberta.
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney and India's prime minister Narendra Modi shake hands before posing for a photo during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada, June 17, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
INDIA is involved in foreign interference in Canada, according to a report published on Wednesday by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
The report was released shortly after Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney held talks during the G7 summit in Alberta.
Modi and Carney agreed to restore the top diplomats both countries had withdrawn in 2023. Both governments described the meeting as productive.
Carney's decision to invite Modi to the G7 drew criticism from some members of Canada’s Sikh community. Tensions between the two countries have remained since September 2023, when then-prime minister Justin Trudeau accused India’s government of playing a role in the June 18, 2023, killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader in Canada.
India has denied involvement in Nijjar’s killing and has accused Canada of sheltering Sikh separatists.
The CSIS report said transnational repression is “a central role in India’s activity in Canada,” but added that China is the biggest counter-intelligence threat. It also named Russia, Iran, and Pakistan.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in October they had communicated more than a dozen threats to Sikhs advocating for an independent homeland carved out of India.
“Indian officials, including their Canada-based proxy agents, engage in a range of activities that seek to influence Canadian communities and politicians,” the CSIS report said. “These activities attempt to steer Canada’s positions into alignment with India’s interests on key issues, particularly with respect to how the Indian government perceives Canada-based supporters of an independent homeland that they call Khalistan.”
The Indian High Commission and the Chinese embassy in Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
FOUR senior Indian-origin individuals were found dead after a car crash in West Virginia, authorities said on Sunday.
Marshal County Sheriff Mike Dougherty identified the victims as Kishore Divan, Asha Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan. Their vehicle was discovered on August 2 around 9:30 PM off a steep embankment along a road in Marshal County.
The four had been reported missing from Buffalo, New York. First responders were at the crash site for over five hours. Dougherty expressed condolences to the victims' families.
Earlier, Sibu Nair, Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs in the Office of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, had posted a “Missing Persons – Please Help” alert on Facebook seeking assistance in locating the Divans.
Nair said the Divans, “beloved members of our community,” were last seen on Tuesday after visiting a temple in Pittsburgh and heading to the Palace Lodge Hotel in Moundsville, West Virginia. “Sadly, they never arrived,” he said.
According to Nair, they were driving a light green car and were last captured on security footage at a fast-food restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania.
“It has now been over 3 days with no contact,” Nair had written, urging people travelling near the area, particularly the “final 22-minute stretch near the hotel, which is known to be difficult terrain,” to be vigilant.
Nair had also shared photos and clothing details of the family, appealing to the public: “Let’s come together and do all we can to bring them home safely.”
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Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin hold talks in Moscow on July 8, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
A SENIOR aide to US president Donald Trump has accused India of funding Russia's war in Ukraine by continuing to buy oil from Moscow.
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," "What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia."
Miller described India's oil imports from Russia as a major concern for the US.
"People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That's an astonishing fact," he said.
The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday that New Delhi will continue to buy oil from Moscow despite US threats.
A 25 per cent tariff on Indian products took effect on Friday over India's purchase of Russian military equipment and energy.
Trump has also warned of 100 per cent tariffs on US imports from countries buying Russian oil unless Russia reaches a peace deal with Ukraine.
Miller added that Trump has a "tremendous" relationship with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Siddiq is accused of influencing her aunt’s administration to secure a plot of land in Purbachal, Dhaka, for her mother, brother, and sister. (Photo: Getty Images)
LABOUR MP Tulip Siddiq is scheduled to face trial in Bangladesh on August 11 over corruption allegations. The case is part of a wider investigation into the regime of her aunt, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed last year.
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) confirmed Siddiq’s case will be heard along with more than 20 others, including Hasina and family members.
If Siddiq does not attend, the trial will proceed in her absence, BBC reported.
She is accused of influencing her aunt’s administration to secure a plot of land in Purbachal, Dhaka, for her mother, brother, and sister.
Siddiq has denied the allegations, saying she has not been contacted by Bangladeshi authorities and does not own any land in Purbachal. Lawyers for Siddiq called the accusations “politically motivated” and a “smear campaign.”
Bangladesh issued an arrest warrant for Siddiq earlier this year. The ACC is also investigating her in a separate case over alleged embezzlement of £3.9bn linked to a 2013 nuclear power plant deal. Siddiq has denied involvement.
Siddiq resigned as UK treasury minister in January, saying staying on would be a “distraction,” while insisting she had done nothing wrong.
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FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a crude oil reserve in the Permian Basin oil field near Midland, Texas, US, February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman
PAKISTAN's largest refiner Cnergyico will import one million barrels of oil from Vitol in October, Cnergyico's vice chairman Usama Qureshi said on Friday (1), the country's first-ever purchase of US crude following a landmark trade deal.
The West Texas Intermediate light crude cargo will be loaded from Houston this month and is expected to arrive in Karachi in the second half of October, he said.
"This is a test spot cargo under our umbrella term agreement with Vitol. If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month," Qureshi told Reuters, adding that Vitol was its long-term trading partner.
Qureshi said Pakistan's finance and petroleum ministries encouraged local refineries to explore US crude imports after the April tariff announcement.
Vitol did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of office hours.
On Thursday (31), Pakistan hailed a trade deal struck with the US, its top export market, and said the agreement would increase investments. The White House said on Thursday the US would charge a 19 per cent tariff on imports from Pakistan.
A key China ally, Pakistan has been wooing Trump after he threatened tariffs. It credited US diplomatic intervention for ending recent hostilities with neighbouring India and nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Oil is Pakistan's biggest import item and its shipments were valued at $11.3 billion (£9bn) in the year ended June 30, 2025, accounting for nearly a fifth of the country's total import bill.
The import deal will help Pakistan diversify its crude sourcing and reduce reliance on Middle Eastern suppliers, which account for nearly all of its oil imports.
"Gross refining margin is on par with Gulf grades, and no blending or refinery tweaks are required," Qureshi said.
Cnergyico could consider buying at least 1 million barrels of US oil a month after it evaluates the first shipment, given its current monthly demand stands at 4.6 million barrels, he said.
"It aligns well with domestic market requirements. Demand typically strengthens in the October–November period," Qureshi said.
Cnergyico can process 156,000 barrels of crude per day and operates the country's only single-point mooring terminal near Karachi, enabling it to handle large tankers unlike other refiners in Pakistan.
The company plans to install a second offshore terminal to allow larger or more frequent shipments, and to upgrade its refinery over the next five to six years, Qureshi said.
The refiner, which has been operating at an average refinery run rate of 30 per cent to 35 per cent due to tepid local demand, is betting on growth in demand for oil products.
Trump said on Wednesday (30) the US would also cooperate with Pakistan to develop the south Asian country's "massive oil reserves", without providing further details.
(Reuters)
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Shocking discovery at Dharmasthala: Human remains unearthed in mass grave probe
Skeletal remains found on 31 July at Dharmasthala’s sixth excavation site, possibly male, marking first forensic breakthrough
The complaint was filed by a Dalit former sanitation worker alleging forced burials of murdered and assaulted women and minors from 1995–2014
SIT led by DGP Pronab Mohanty is probing 13 sites; five prior sites showed no human remains
Forensic tests and DNA analysis are underway, while families of missing persons are filing fresh complaints
The temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka has been thrust into the national spotlight after skeletal remains were discovered on 31 July 2025, during a Special Investigation Team (SIT) excavation near the Netravathi River. This is the first confirmed physical evidence in an ongoing investigation into allegations of secret burials of sexual violence and murder victims spanning decades. The discovery, made at the sixth of 13 suspected sites, is being seen as a turning point in the probe initiated after a former sanitation worker came forward with explosive claims.
Human remains unearthed in mass grave probe at Dharmasthala
What are the Dharmasthala mass burial allegations?
A former temple sanitation worker, now 48, filed a formal complaint on 3 July 2025, stating he was coerced, under death threats, into burying bodies of murdered women, minors and destitute men during his service between 1995 and 2014. The complainant claimed that many victims had visible signs of violence such as strangulation, acid burns and partial nudity. According to his statement, he personally buried hundreds of victims across the temple town's forested regions and riverbanks. He specifically recalled burying a young schoolgirl in uniform and a woman scarred by acid, claiming these acts were covered up under threats. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on 4 July under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The allegations triggered widespread public anger, with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission demanding a high-level inquiry. Activists have also linked these claims to long-standing unresolved cases, including the 2012 rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya, which remains unsolved.
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What did the SIT find during excavations?
Following mounting pressure, the state government set up an SIT on 19 July, led by senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty. The team began exhumation work at multiple sites from 29 July. The whistleblower identified up to 15 potential burial sites. The team, including forensic specialists, is systematically excavating each location, using machinery like mini excavators and tools to aid their search. Every step is videographed for transparency. Initial excavations at five locations did not yield any human remains.
What exactly was found at the sixth site?
Digging deep into forested land near the Netravathi River, SIT members and forensic experts recovered approximately 15 bones on the third day of excavations. Initial observations suggest the remains likely belong to a male individual. Alongside the bones, fragments of cloth were also collected. This discovery followed extensive digging at five other locations identified by the protected whistleblower. The findings have been sent to the state Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed analysis, including DNA testing and determining the cause and approximate time of death. Heavy rain and difficult terrain had complicated earlier efforts.
While Site 6 produced remains, the first five sites dug between 29 and 30 July found no human evidence. At Site 1, unrelated items like a debit card and a male PAN card were found; the PAN card led investigators to a family who confirmed the man died naturally in March 2025, suggesting the card was lost or discarded earlier.
Why has a media gag order been issued?
Even as the SIT continues its investigation, a Bengaluru civil court passed a controversial ex parte gag order blocking over 8,800 online links that referred to the whistleblower’s claims. The plea, filed by a relative of the temple’s leadership, argued that the allegations were unverified and defamatory, while many argue that this order curtails free speech and hinders accountability.
The court will review the gag order on 5 August. Activists and media watchdogs argue that gagging information on such serious allegations may weaken public trust in the legal process.
Who is leading the Dharmasthala probe and what’s next?
While SIT chief Pronab Mohanty currently leads the investigation, reports suggest he has been listed for central deputation. Karnataka’s Home Minister clarified there is no formal transfer request yet, but concern remains that any leadership change could affect the pace and integrity of the probe.
The team has been tasked with examining 13 potential burial sites. Following the skeletal discovery at Site 6, the SIT may now prioritise excavation at Site 7 and other high-yield locations flagged by the whistleblower. Experts also suggest deploying ground-penetrating radar and trained sniffer dogs to assist further.
What are families of missing persons saying?
For decades, families in the Dharmasthala region have grappled with unexplained disappearances, often feeling their pleas were ignored. The whistleblower's claims and the subsequent discovery of remains have reignited painful hopes for answers.
As developments unfold, families who lost loved ones in the Dharmasthala region have come forward to file fresh complaints. One woman, whose MBBS student daughter vanished during a 2003 college trip, has requested that authorities investigate whether her daughter is among the buried victims. Activists claim over 360 missing persons cases from the Dharmasthala area remain unsolved. The discovery, even if preliminary, validates their persistent demands for a serious investigation.
What is the significance of Dharmasthala and who leads the temple?
Dharmasthala is one of Karnataka’s most prominent pilgrimage sites, home to the 800-year-old Manjunatha Temple. The temple is administered by Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, a Rajya Sabha MP nominated by the BJP. The temple trust also runs schools, museums and social welfare initiatives. However, many feel the influence may have contributed to the silencing of serious allegations in the past.
The current probe has reopened public scrutiny of the temple’s operations and whether certain past crimes were systematically buried, literally and figuratively.
Human bones found in Dharmasthala probe as whistleblower\u2019s mass grave claims gain credibility shri kshetra dharmasthala
What happens next in the Dharmasthala mass grave investigation?
The SIT will continue excavating remaining burial sites
Forensic results from Site 6 will determine the sex, identity and likely cause of death of the skeletal remains
Families of missing persons may submit DNA for cross-matching
The court will revisit the gag order on 5 August
SIT leadership and political involvement remain closely watched
The search for truth continues
The discovery of skeletal remains at Site 6 has transformed the Dharmasthala mass burial case from a mere allegation into an evidence-backed probe. With real bones now in forensic custody, the investigation is no longer hypothetical. The coming weeks will decide if the truth about decades of alleged abuse, death and cover-ups in one of India’s most sacred towns can finally see the light of day, and whether justice will be delivered to those long forgotten.