On October 29, Canadian officials alleged that Amit Shah, India’s Minister of Home Affairs and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was behind plots to target Sikh separatists residing in Canada. The accusation, which has intensified already strained relations between Canada and India, was first reported by The Washington Post and later confirmed by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison. This latest development underscores the deepening diplomatic rift, with both governments expelling diplomats earlier this month in a tit-for-tat response to mounting allegations.
The issue of Sikh separatism and calls for an independent state known as Khalistan have long been a point of contention within India. Beginning in the 1980s, an insurgency driven by separatist aspirations led to decades of violence in the Indian state of Punjab, where Sikh nationalism has deep historical and cultural roots. The Khalistan movement advocates for a sovereign Sikh nation to be carved out of India’s Punjab region, citing cultural, religious, and political grievances. The Indian government has consistently opposed these calls for secession, labeling the movement as a threat to national security and characterizing its members as terrorists.
One of the most significant flashpoints in this conflict was the 1984 storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a holy site for Sikhs, by the Indian Army. Ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out Sikh separatists, the operation resulted in numerous casualties and sparked widespread anger among Sikhs globally. Shortly afterward, Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, which led to violent anti-Sikh riots across India, further entrenching divisions.
Canada is home to one of the largest Sikh communities outside of India, with many in the diaspora supporting the Khalistan movement. Canadian Sikhs have long advocated for the protection of their cultural identity, and some, including leaders like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have supported Khalistani separatist ideals, calling for the establishment of an independent Sikh state. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was killed in British Columbia in June 2023, sparking outrage in Canada and leading Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to link his murder to “agents of the Indian government.”
Canada’s most recent allegations center on Amit Shah, India’s Minister of Home Affairs, whom officials accuse of orchestrating intimidation and violent efforts to silence Sikh separatist voices on Canadian soil. The allegations mark an escalation in Canada’s stance, following accusations that Indian government officials were linked to Nijjar’s killing. According to a Washington Post report, Morrison confirmed that Shah was implicated in the plot during a phone interview with a journalist.
“The journalist called me and asked if it (Shah) was that person. I confirmed it was that person,” Morrison told the Canadian parliamentary committee. However, he offered no further evidence or documentation, leaving specifics regarding Shah’s role unconfirmed. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa and India’s Ministry of External Affairs have refrained from commenting publicly on the matter, although India has previously dismissed Canada’s allegations as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
India has consistently maintained a stance that Sikh separatists, particularly those advocating for Khalistan from abroad, are threats to its national security. India has expressed frustration over Canada’s perceived leniency toward the Khalistani movement, accusing Canadian leaders of allowing separatist sentiments to flourish on Canadian soil under the pretense of freedom of expression.
Following Nijjar’s death, India categorically denied any involvement, rejecting Trudeau’s assertion of a link between Indian officials and Nijjar’s killing as baseless and irresponsible. Moreover, Indian officials contend that Trudeau’s stance panders to Canada’s large Sikh population, potentially as a political move.
The allegations have led to an unprecedented diplomatic stand-off. Canada expelled several Indian diplomats in mid-October, and India responded by ordering Canadian diplomats to leave the country. This mutual expulsion underscored the widening rift, with both sides making statements indicative of a serious diplomatic breakdown. Ottawa cited “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s assassination as grounds for the expulsion, while India defended its own actions as a response to what it viewed as undue interference and unfounded allegations.
These accusations against Shah have emerged against the backdrop of complex trilateral relations among Canada, the U.S., and India. The United States, which has deep economic and security ties with both Canada and India, finds itself in a challenging position as tensions escalate. The U.S. has historically supported India’s rise as a counterweight to China in the region, viewing the Indian government as a critical partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy. However, the Biden administration is under growing pressure from Canadian leaders and activists who expect a more vocal stance in response to alleged extrajudicial actions by Indian officials against residents of North America.
Recent events illustrate that India’s alleged actions are not limited to Canadian soil. Earlier in 2023, the FBI charged a former Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement and a dual U.S.-Canadian citizen. The FBI issued a public warning following the indictment, emphasizing the seriousness of such alleged actions on American soil.
The Biden administration’s response to these events is crucial, as the allegations could complicate the strategic partnership between India and the United States. American officials have expressed concerns over foreign interventions on U.S. soil, indicating that India’s alleged actions might strain diplomatic ties if substantiated. For Canada, meanwhile, the allegations reflect a call for greater support from allies as it confronts what it perceives as a violation of sovereignty and the rule of law.
The response to the allegations within India has been relatively subdued at an official level, with many Indian media outlets echoing government sentiments and portraying the accusations as an attempt by Canada to placate its Sikh diaspora. Supporters of the Modi administration in India argue that Canadian officials are overstating the threat to undermine India’s global standing. The Indian government’s labeling of Khalistan supporters as “terrorists” has found broad support among many in India, who see the movement as a threat to national unity.
In Canada, reactions have been mixed. Trudeau’s administration has faced a range of responses, with some supporting his calls for a transparent investigation into Nijjar’s killing. However, there are those who criticize the prime minister for potentially jeopardizing economic and diplomatic relations with India. Nonetheless, Canada’s stance highlights its commitment to upholding the sovereignty of its citizens and residents, regardless of foreign influence.
The allegations against India raise important questions about the extent to which nations may attempt to project influence and intimidate or target citizens abroad. Such extraterritorial actions—if proven true—would constitute serious breaches of international law. Countries that host diasporic communities from nations experiencing internal conflicts are particularly vulnerable to foreign pressure, as seen in the recent cases involving Indian nationals and Sikh separatists.
According to legal experts, Canada’s claims could have broad repercussions, as they may encourage other countries with significant diasporic populations, such as the U.S. and the U.K., to investigate similar claims against foreign actors. If evidence substantiates these allegations, it could lead to calls for more robust mechanisms for protecting citizens from extraterritorial threats.
The next steps in the Canadian-Indian standoff remain uncertain. Canadian officials have continued to stress their commitment to a thorough investigation of Nijjar’s killing, with Trudeau reiterating the need for cooperation from India to bring any perpetrators to justice. The Canadian government has expressed an expectation for its allies, particularly the United States, to hold India accountable if the allegations are confirmed.
Meanwhile, India has sought to focus on its broader geopolitical goals, downplaying the allegations from Canada and emphasizing its commitment to national security. As India grows more influential on the world stage, particularly with its prominent role in the G20, the controversy with Canada could prompt calls for greater scrutiny of how the Indian government addresses separatist movements within its diaspora populations abroad.
