Canada Accuses India’s Amit Shah of Involvement in Plots Against Sikh Separatists
Washington/New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Canadian government accused India’s Home Affairs Minister, Amit Shah, a senior figure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, of being involved in orchestrating plots targeting Sikh separatists in Canada.
While India has yet to officially respond to these latest allegations, it has previously dismissed Canada’s claims as baseless, denying any involvement in actions against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.
The accusations were initially reported by The Washington Post, which stated that Canadian officials had linked Shah to a campaign of intimidation and violence aimed at Khalistani activists in Canada. During a parliamentary hearing, Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison confirmed that Shah was central to the allegations.
When directly questioned by a journalist, Morrison responded, “I confirmed it was that person,” but provided no further details or supporting evidence. As of now, neither the Indian High Commission in Ottawa nor India’s foreign ministry has issued a public statement, and the home ministry referred inquiries to the foreign ministry.
According to sources in New Delhi, Canada had informed India about Shah’s supposed involvement in October 2023. However, Indian officials have reportedly dismissed these allegations as unsubstantiated and do not expect them to impact Shah or the Indian government.
India has long considered Sikh separatists as “terrorists” and a security threat, with the movement seeking an independent Khalistan in India’s Punjab region. The conflict reached its height in the 1980s and 1990s, causing widespread violence and loss of life, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had ordered military action to clear Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple.
The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada escalated in mid-October when Canada expelled Indian diplomats over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In retaliation, India also expelled Canadian diplomats, further deepening the rift between the two nations.
The accusation against Shah has added another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship between the two countries, particularly amid increasing concerns over foreign interference and the safety of diaspora communities. Canada’s growing Sikh population, many of whom advocate for an independent Khalistan, has become a focal point in the diplomatic dispute.
Observers suggest that these allegations could further polarize the political climate in both nations, with Canadian officials calling for transparency and accountability, while Indian officials have strongly rebuffed any suggestion of involvement in foreign political matters. As both countries continue to grapple with these tensions, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging dialogue and a peaceful resolution.
Further complicating the issue is the role of international law enforcement agencies, with some analysts predicting that these ongoing diplomatic clashes could potentially prompt investigations into whether such claims of interference could be substantiated, possibly leading to further global repercussions for both countries.
