Thu Oct 31 14:20:38 UTC 2024: ## Canada Accuses India of Targeting Sikh Separatists on its Soil
**OTTAWA, CANADA -** In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Canada has accused India of orchestrating a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence gathering against Sikh separatists within its borders. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was directly involved in the alleged operations, a claim first reported by The Washington Post.
The allegations stem from a broader investigation into the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Canada has previously accused Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar’s death, but the latest claims point to a wider effort to silence Sikh separatist activities within Canada.
Morrison did not disclose how Canada obtained the information about Shah’s alleged involvement, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously stated that Canada had “credible evidence” of Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s murder.
Canada’s accusations come after the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner and five other diplomats in October for allegedly being persons of interest in multiple cases of coercion and intimidation aimed at suppressing the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state.
Adding further weight to the allegations, the US Justice Department has announced criminal charges against an Indian government employee in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in New York City.
Nathalie Drouin, Trudeau’s national security advisor, detailed a pattern of alleged actions by the Indian government, stating that information was gathered on Indian nationals and Canadian citizens through diplomatic channels and proxies before being passed to New Delhi. The Indian government is then alleged to have worked with a criminal network affiliated with Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in prison in India.
Canada’s efforts to address the situation through diplomatic channels with the Indian government have failed, leading to the public revelation of their findings. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has stressed the severity of the threats to public safety, justifying their decision to go public with the ongoing investigations.
India has denied the allegations and retaliated by expelling six Canadian diplomats.
The escalating diplomatic row between the two nations is likely to have significant repercussions, raising concerns about the safety of Sikh communities within Canada and the future of bilateral relations. The case is still under investigation, and the ongoing legal proceedings against those charged with Nijjar’s murder are expected to shed further light on the alleged activities of the Indian government.
First Piper 