The already fraught relationship between India and Canada has taken another sharp turn after a report by The Globe and Mail alleged that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of a purported campaign targeting Sikh activists in Canada. This latest claim has prompted a stern rebuke from New Delhi, warning Ottawa of “further damage” to bilateral ties if such allegations persist.
The tension centers around allegations by Canadian security agencies that senior Indian officials, including Modi, were informed about efforts to target Sikh activists advocating for the controversial Khalistan movement—a separatist campaign seeking an independent Sikh state within Indian territory.
The fallout underscores deepening rifts between the two nations, exacerbated by accusations earlier this year that India was involved in the assassination of a prominent Khalistan advocate on Canadian soil.
Canada is home to the world’s largest Sikh diaspora outside of India, with approximately 770,000 residents identifying as Sikh. Among them are vocal supporters of the Khalistan movement, which remains a sensitive and divisive issue in India. For decades, New Delhi has viewed the movement as a threat to its territorial integrity, and successive Indian governments have accused some Canadian-based activists of harboring separatist and extremist ambitions.
The recent flashpoint in India-Canada relations was the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian citizen and a prominent Khalistan campaigner, in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. Nijjar, 45, was shot dead outside the Sikh temple where he served as president, reportedly by masked gunmen. He had been accused by Indian authorities of terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder, charges he denied before his death.
In September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shocked the international community by accusing Indian agents of orchestrating Nijjar’s killing. India rejected the allegations as “absurd and baseless,” leading to a series of diplomatic tit-for-tats, including the expulsion of senior diplomats from both countries.
This week’s report by The Globe and Mail reignited tensions. Citing unnamed Canadian officials, the newspaper claimed that Canada’s security agencies had concluded that Modi, along with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, were informed about a campaign targeting Canadian Sikh activists.
The report suggested that the alleged actions would have been discussed at the highest levels of the Indian government, making it “unthinkable” that Modi would not have been aware. The unnamed official also alleged that Canada possessed evidence implicating senior Indian leaders in planning “targeted killings” of Khalistani figures in Canada.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs wasted no time in dismissing the allegations as “ludicrous” and part of a Canadian smear campaign. In a strongly worded statement issued late Wednesday, the ministry accused Canada of perpetuating baseless claims and warned that such provocations would further deteriorate bilateral ties.
“Such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve,” the statement read. “Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties.”
New Delhi has consistently denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing or other alleged targeting of Sikh activists in Canada. India has also accused Canada of failing to act against Khalistan supporters who New Delhi claims are inciting violence and promoting terrorism against India.
The allegations reported by The Globe and Mail come against a backdrop of long-standing friction over the Khalistan issue. India has repeatedly accused Canada of harboring extremists who use Canadian soil to further their separatist agenda.
For its part, Canada has defended its commitment to free speech, emphasizing the right of its citizens to express political views—even if those views are controversial. However, Ottawa has also condemned violence and extremism, stressing that it does not support the Khalistan movement.
In recent years, India has ramped up efforts to counter Khalistan advocacy internationally. It has labeled individuals such as Nijjar as terrorists under its Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and sought extradition for several Canada-based activists. Ottawa has resisted such moves, citing a lack of compelling evidence and concerns over due process.
The fallout from the ongoing allegations has plunged India-Canada relations to historic lows. Diplomatic ties have become increasingly hostile, with both nations recalling diplomats and suspending high-level talks.
In October 2023, India announced the suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals, citing “security threats” at its diplomatic missions in Canada. Meanwhile, Canada has urged India to cooperate with investigations into Nijjar’s killing, stressing that resolving the matter is key to restoring trust.
Trade relations have also been affected. Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations have been put on hold, further straining economic ties.
The Sikh diaspora in Canada has found itself at the center of the storm. While the majority of Canadian Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement, a vocal minority has continued to advocate for an independent Sikh state.
Indian officials have often expressed frustration with Canadian politicians who engage with Sikh separatist groups. Events such as the annual Khalistan referendum, held in Canadian cities, have further angered New Delhi. Canada, however, maintains that such activities are lawful as long as they do not incite violence.
For many in Canada’s Sikh community, the allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing have heightened fears about surveillance and reprisals. Community leaders have called on Ottawa to ensure the safety of all Sikh Canadians, while urging calm amid rising tensions.
The road to reconciliation appears increasingly uncertain. Both nations have dug in their heels, with Canada insisting on accountability for Nijjar’s killing and India demanding action against Khalistan advocates.
Experts warn that the situation could escalate further if the allegations reported by The Globe and Mail are substantiated. For now, the absence of tangible evidence and the reliance on anonymous sources leave room for doubt—but also for continued speculation.
