The Canadian government accused Indian Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, of being behind plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. The Indian government did not respond immediately but has denied any involvement in the past. The Washington Post reported the allegations, which were confirmed by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison, stating that Shah was behind the campaign of violence and intimidation. India has dismissed the claims, calling them weak and flimsy, and does not expect any trouble for Shah or the government in response to the allegations. India has labeled Sikh separatists as terrorists and threats to its security due to their demand for an independent homeland known as Khalistan.
Canada informed India about Shah’s alleged role in the plots in October 2023, leading to the expulsion of Indian diplomats for their alleged involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India also expelled Canadian diplomats in retaliation. This is not the only instance of India targeting Sikh separatists on foreign soil, as a former Indian intelligence officer was charged by Washington for allegedly directing a plot to murder Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City. India has said little publicly since announcing they would investigate the U.S. allegations in November 2023, creating tension in relations with the US and Canada.
Sikh separatists in India were at the center of an insurgency during the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots after the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Canada and India have had strained relations over the years due to their differing views on Sikh separatists, with Canada conducting investigations and expelling diplomats in response to the alleged targeting of Sikh leaders in their country. The accusations have impacted relations between India, the US, and Canada, with the West often seeing India as a counterbalance to China in the region.
The accusations against Amit Shah as being behind plots to target Sikh separatists have the potential to damage Canada-India ties for an extended period, as the two countries navigate the fallout from the allegations. The High Commission of India in Ottawa and the Indian foreign ministry have not provided any immediate comments on the allegations, leaving the situation unresolved and tensions running high between the countries. The US has also been involved in investigating and responding to alleged Indian targeting of Sikh separatists on their soil, further complicating international relations and creating challenges in maintaining diplomatic ties with India.
The Canadian government’s allegations against Amit Shah and the Indian government have raised concerns about human rights violations and the targeting of specific ethnic and religious groups in India. The accusations have drawn attention to the actions of the Indian government and its treatment of Sikh separatists, adding to ongoing debates about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in the country. The potential implications for international relations and diplomatic ties between Canada, India, and other countries underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to human rights standards in addressing such issues on a global scale.
