India’s tensions with Canada escalated over claims linking Home Minister Amit Shah to plots targeting Sikh activists in Canada. The Indian government vehemently denied these allegations, labelling them as “absurd and baseless” and protesting them through diplomatic channels.
Official Response from India
The Foreign Ministry of India issued a strong statement, asserting that it had summoned a representative of the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s spokesperson, highlighted that India had lodged a diplomatic note of protest, condemning what it termed as “unfounded insinuations” from Canadian officials.
Claims of Surveillance
- India accused Canada of conducting surveillance on Indian consular staff.
- This surveillance was described as “harassment and intimidation” by Jaiswal.
- The details regarding when these allegations were conveyed to Indian officials remain undisclosed.
Context of the Dispute
These tensions are particularly acute given that Canada hosts the largest Sikh community outside of India, which includes many activists involved in the Khalistan movement—a separatist agenda advocating for an independent state for Sikhs. Allegations reported in *The Washington Post* suggested that the Indian government, specifically Shah, was implicated in a campaign of intimidation against these activists.
Impact on Bilateral Relations
The ongoing feud has already strained diplomatic relations, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both nations. Jaiswal warned that Canada’s actions could severely jeopardise bilateral ties, urging a reconsideration of these baseless claims.
Historical Background
India has continuously denied involvement in previous incidents, including the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023, which has only intensified scrutiny over its actions abroad. The current situation sees both nations in a state of diplomatic limbo, with each side accusing the other of misconduct.