The Canadian government has accused Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah of orchestrating plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. This allegation, reported by The Washington Post, asserts that Shah is behind a campaign of violence and intimidation against Sikh activists in Canada. Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed this assertion during a parliamentary session but did not provide specific evidence to support the claims.
The Indian government has categorically dismissed the allegations as baseless, reiterating its position that Sikh separatists pose a security threat and labeling them as terrorists. The separatists are seeking an independent state known as Khalistan, a movement that gained prominence during a violent insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands.
Also Read: Indian States’ Proposals to Penalise Food Spitting Sparks Controversy
This controversy intensified after Canada expelled Indian diplomats in mid-October, linking them to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. In retaliation, India also ordered the expulsion of Canadian diplomats. The situation has strained relations between Canada and India, and similar accusations have emerged regarding India’s actions against Sikh separatists abroad.
In a related case, a former Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, has been charged by U.S. authorities for allegedly directing a foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist leader residing in New York City. The FBI has issued warnings regarding potential retaliatory actions aimed at individuals in the U.S.
These developments pose significant challenges to diplomatic relations between Canada, the U.S., and India, especially as India is often viewed as a key ally by the West in its strategic competition with China.
