India's Foreign Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says Canada is his country's "biggest problem" when it comes to Sikh separatism. India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar waits for Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as he makes a courtesy visit to Kishida at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Friday, March 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS
India's Foreign Affairs Minister has accused Canada of harboring criminals from his country, citing recent RCMP arrests linked to a homicide. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also criticized Canada for allegedly fueling Sikh separatism, particularly the movement for Khalistan, during a forum in India.
The recent arrests by the RCMP involved three Indian nationals charged in connection with the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar was a vocal advocate for Khalistan, a proposed independent Sikh homeland, and his death prompted widespread protests against Indian officials in Canada. Tensions escalated further after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insinuated Indian involvement in the homicide.
Jaishankar, speaking at the forum in Bhubaneswar, addressed concerns about Canada's stance on separatist movements. He accused certain political parties in Canada, including the governing Liberals, of pandering to Sikh separatists for electoral gain, thereby legitimizing extremist ideologies. He highlighted the intensity of protests against Indian government figures in Canada, which included calls for violence and rewards for disclosing their addresses.
The Foreign Minister also expressed concerns about the safety of Indian diplomatic missions and staff in Canada, urging Canadian officials to consider how they would respond to similar threats against their own diplomats. He reiterated India's stance that Canada is providing refuge to criminal elements from Punjab associated with Sikh separatism, despite India's extradition requests.
India has previously raised these concerns with Canada, including during discussions between Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India's government has accused Canada of allowing a nexus between Khalistani separatists, organized crime, and human trafficking to thrive within its borders.
However, Canadian authorities have maintained that India has not provided sufficient evidence to support its allegations of terrorism. They have offered workshops on the rule of law to Indian counterparts to address differences in legal systems.
Jaishankar warned of potential pushback against calls for Khalistan separation, emphasizing that global dynamics no longer operate in a one-way manner. However, he did not specify the source of potential resistance.
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa did not immediately respond to inquiries about Jaishankar's comments regarding pushback. Similarly, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly's office did not provide an immediate response, reiterating her preference for private diplomacy with India.
Human Rights Watch has criticized the Modi government for its handling of civil rights issues in India, including violent attacks against non-Hindu citizens. The organization has urged India to investigate potential involvement in Nijjar's death, citing a lack of accountability for unlawful killings by Indian authorities.
India has also called on Canada to prosecute individuals associated with the 1985 Air India bombing, which resulted in significant loss of life during a period of ethnic violence.
