Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Canberra to address allegations that India was involved in targeting Sikh activists in Canada. The allegations surfaced after reports from Canadian authorities indicated that Indian diplomats might have been involved in a campaign targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed that Indian diplomats provided information on Sikh activists to Indian organized crime groups, leading to threats, extortion, and even violent attacks.
The accusations also suggest that high-level Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, might have been involved in orchestrating these actions, including the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent advocate for the Khalistan movement. Canadian officials have confirmed these allegations, asserting that Shah authorized intelligence gathering and violent attacks against Sikh activists in Canada.
Also Read: Canada Accuses India’s Amit Shah of Plotting to Target Sikh Separatists
In response, India denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “baseless,” while accusing Canada of leaking unverified information to tarnish India’s reputation. India also raised concerns over the surveillance of its diplomats in Canada, which it deemed unacceptable.
During the meeting, Wong reiterated Australia’s position of respecting the sovereignty and judicial processes of both Canada and India. She emphasized the importance of safety and security for all communities, including the Sikh community, in Australia. Jaishankar, however, pushed back against Canada’s claims, accusing Canada of allowing extremist voices to flourish under the guise of freedom of expression.
The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have been growing since 2023, particularly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly stated there were credible links between the Indian government and Nijjar’s murder. This has led to the expulsion of top diplomats from both countries in September 2024, further escalating the conflict.
The situation also highlights broader concerns regarding Sikh separatism and India’s crackdown on the Khalistan movement, both domestically and abroad. As part of the Five Eyes alliance, Australia has a close relationship with Canada, positioning it as an important participant in discussions surrounding these allegations.
