Climate of Violence
On Friday, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar criticized Canada for fostering a “climate of violence” and an “atmosphere of intimidation” against Indian diplomats. He voiced his concerns during a press conference in Washington, highlighting the presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada that have strained relations between the two countries.
Jaishankar expressed his displeasure with the situation, stating, “Because there is freedom of speech, to make threats and intimidate diplomats, I don’t think that’s acceptable.”
The strained relations between India and Canada are primarily attributed to the presence of Sikh separatists in Canada who advocate for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state carved out of India.
Canada’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to Jaishankar’s comments. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously suggested that Indian agents could have played a role in the June murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom India had labeled a “terrorist.”
New Delhi rejected these allegations as baseless, and the United States urged India to cooperate with Canada in the murder investigation.
Canada hosts a significant Sikh community, and Indian leaders believe that some fringe groups in Canada still sympathize with the cause of Khalistan. However, this cause lacks support in India.
The demand for Khalistan had previously emerged during a violent insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s, which paralyzed the state of Punjab for over a decade and claimed tens of thousands of lives. The Indian government views the Khalistan movement as a security threat.
Two Sikh bodyguards assassinated Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 after she ordered the storming of the holiest Sikh temple in a bid to root out Sikh separatists.
