In a surprising turn of events, the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which occurred three months ago outside a Gurudwara in Canada, has become a source of diplomatic tension between India and Canada. The incident led to both countries expelling their diplomats, a development that was unforeseen when the murder initially took place on June 18.
What made this situation even more complicated was Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s direct accusation against India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), for Nijjar’s murder. Trudeau’s Foreign Minister echoed these allegations, leading to the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat from Canada, citing RAW’s involvement in the incident. In response, the Indian government swiftly dismissed these claims as absurd and reciprocated by expelling a senior diplomat from the Canadian Embassy in New Delhi.
However, the tension between the two countries has not subsided. Canada has asserted that it has gathered evidence implicating RAW in Nijjar’s murder but has yet to share this evidence with India. This raises a critical question: will Canada choose to share the evidence related to these allegations with the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, in addition to Canada?
The Five Eyes alliance was formed to facilitate intelligence sharing and cooperation among its member countries in situations where national security is at stake. It enables these countries to collaborate through their respective intelligence agencies, providing essential information and evidence when required. The alliance, which includes strong intelligence agencies like the CIA and MI6, has the capability to shed light on the truth behind allegations when called upon.
However, it remains unclear whether the Nijjar case will involve the Five Eyes, given India’s strong diplomatic ties with countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. These relationships could potentially influence how the situation unfolds within the alliance.
The story of the Five Eyes alliance goes back to its founding principles. As the name suggests, the alliance involves the “five eyes” of its member countries. The organization was created to enhance intelligence-sharing capabilities and foster trust among these nations, particularly during times of global security threats.
One notable incident involving the Five Eyes was the withdrawal of the New Zealand cricket team from Pakistan in 2021. Citing an intelligence input from the alliance, New Zealand decided to cancel its cricket series in Pakistan due to fears of a potential terrorist attack on the team. Despite Pakistan’s denials, New Zealand took the threat seriously and evacuated its team.
The incident illustrated the level of trust and reliance that member countries place in the intelligence shared by the Five Eyes alliance. This trust often extends to a willingness to act on intelligence inputs provided by the coalition.
As the tension between India and Canada persists, the role of the Five Eyes alliance in the Nijjar case remains uncertain. Whether Canada will share its evidence with the alliance, and how this may impact the diplomatic dispute, remains to be seen. The incident underscores the complex interplay between intelligence-sharing alliances and international relations in an interconnected world.
The Genesis and Evolution of Five Eyes: A Closer Look
Let’s delve into the intriguing origins and historical evolution of the intelligence alliance known as Five Eyes. This clandestine coalition traces its roots back to the tumultuous year of 1941, during the throes of the Second World War. At that juncture, amidst global turmoil, various nations had already initiated their own covert espionage operations. However, it was the unprecedented collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States that laid the foundation for what we now recognize as Five Eyes.
In those perilous times, Britain and America took a momentous step by mutually agreeing to share intelligence information. Their pact specifically revolved around the exchange of intelligence pertaining to the Soviet Union, marking the initial spark of this secretive alliance. Canada was soon drawn into this covert enterprise, expanding the alliance’s reach across the Atlantic. Subsequently, Australia and New Zealand joined the fold, solidifying the group as Five Eyes.
Five Eyes’ Espionage Endeavors Since 1941:
The alliance, born in 1941, has remained operative for over eight decades. Yet, its history is marked by intriguing phases of transformation and adaptation. Over time, there were discussions about expanding the alliance, leading to the notion of Six Eyes, Nine Eyes, and even Fourteen Eyes, which sought to include countries such as France, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. These proposals stirred debate but ultimately did not lead to any formal expansion. Thus, from its inception in 1941 to the present day, Five Eyes has steadfastly continued its covert operations.
