India and Canada reached new heights this week as India fiercely denied allegations from Canada implicating Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a plot to target Sikh activists on Canadian soil. The accusation centers around the controversial Khalistan movement, a separatist cause seeking an independent Sikh homeland within India’s Punjab region.
As the diplomatic row intensifies, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has called the allegations “absurd and baseless,” while cautioning Canada of the potential repercussions on already strained diplomatic relations. The clash adds a fresh layer to the ongoing diplomatic standoff between two traditionally friendly nations, escalating concerns over the future of Indo-Canadian relations.
Canada’s Sikh community, the largest outside of India, has long included vocal supporters of the Khalistan movement, which seeks independence for Punjab. A series of allegations, reportedly supported by Canadian intelligence, were revealed this week, claiming a coordinated campaign against Khalistan activists on Canadian soil had been traced back to the highest echelons of India’s government. The accusations implicate Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister and close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as allegedly sanctioning activities targeting the Khalistan activists based in Canada.
According to a report initially leaked to Canadian media, Ottawa’s investigation indicates a systematic effort to surveil and potentially neutralize certain Khalistan activists in Canada. Canadian officials argue that their intelligence shows active involvement of India’s government in a campaign intended to suppress or silence dissenting voices associated with the separatist movement.
India wasted no time in issuing a rebuttal. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), speaking through its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and an attempt by Canada to “discredit India” through what it called “irresponsible and provocative actions.” Jaiswal announced that India had formally protested the accusation by summoning Canada’s High Commissioner to New Delhi and handing over a diplomatic note to signal its discontent.
“We categorically reject any involvement in such activities and protest in the strongest terms the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India,” Jaiswal said during a press briefing. “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” he warned, suggesting that Canada’s approach to handling the issue could derail diplomatic relations between the two nations.
In addition, Indian officials have condemned the way these allegations have been publicly circulated by Canadian authorities, suggesting it represents a breach of diplomatic protocol and signals a willingness by Canada to escalate tensions through media leaks.
Canada, meanwhile, stands by its assertion that its intelligence community has credible information linking India to activities targeting the Sikh community in Canada. Canadian officials insist that their primary motivation is to ensure the security of all citizens within Canadian borders, a concern heightened by growing reports of surveillance and alleged intimidation tactics employed against Sikh activists.
“This is a matter of Canadian sovereignty and the security of Canadians,” said an unnamed Canadian government official in response to India’s denial. “Foreign interference, particularly that which poses risks to individual citizens, is something we take seriously.”
Canada has long struggled to balance its policies on foreign affairs and domestic minority rights issues. As a multicultural nation with a prominent Sikh population—many of whom are prominent business and political figures—Canada faces unique challenges in maintaining internal security while managing complex relations with India, one of its largest trading partners in South Asia.
The dilemma is further complicated by the fact that any perceived indifference towards Sikh concerns may not only alienate Canadian Sikhs but also impact broader Indo-Canadian relations.
Observers and analysts are watching closely to see if the current standoff will subside or further escalate. With both countries standing firm, diplomatic experts warn that prolonged tension could have a lasting impact, not only on India and Canada’s trade and diplomatic ties but also on the broader geopolitical landscape. As Canada is a member of the G7 and NATO, and India a central figure in the Global South and a leader in regional alliances, the fallout could echo beyond bilateral relations.
Many diplomats and analysts are advocating for dialogue to resolve the situation. However, with both India and Canada appearing unwilling to back down, a compromise may be challenging to achieve. This situation exemplifies a larger trend in international diplomacy where domestic issues—like minority rights, freedom of speech, and national security—are becoming deeply entangled with global relationships.
