Canada's Accusations Against India: Examining Alleged Targeting of Sikh Separatists and Its Impact on Diplomatic Relations
The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India have recently intensified due to Canada’s allegations that a senior Indian official was involved in organizing a campaign to target Sikh separatists within Canada. This claim has attracted international attention, highlighting the complexities of Canada-India relations and the prominent role of Canada’s Sikh diaspora in this issue. In this article, we’ll explore the background of these allegations, the possible impacts on both countries, and potential paths forward. Background on Sikh Separatist Conflict For several decades, the Khalistan movement—a separatist effort to create an independent Sikh state within India’s Punjab region—has been a politically sensitive issue in India. While support for the Khalistan cause has largely subsided within India, Sikh communities abroad, particularly in Canada, still contain supporters of this movement. Canada has one of the largest Sikh diasporas in the world, with many Sikhs playing influential rol...