Improving India-Canada Relations Face Opposition from Khalistanis, Threats Against Indian Consulate

While relations between India and Canada appear to be thawing, this development is facing resistance from Khalistani organizations. The US-based Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has sparked a new controversy. The group has issued a threat to surround and seize the Indian Consulate in Vancouver. The SFJ released a poster targeting Dinesh Patnaik, India’s new High Commissioner. The organization alleges that the Indian consulate is monitoring and running a spy network against Khalistan supporters. The group has explicitly warned Indo-Canadians to avoid visiting the consulate for visa or passport services on September 19th, a Thursday. The SFJ’s statement also referenced the 2023 killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The organization claims that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself admitted in Parliament that an investigation was underway into the role of Indian agents in Nijjar’s death. The SFJ alleges that despite two years passing, Indian espionage activities in Canada continue. The organization claims that the threat to Khalistanis is so significant that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had to provide witness protection to Inderjit Singh Gosal, the current leader of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, who took over after Nijjar’s death. The SFJ claims that through the siege, they will demand accountability from Indian agencies. Notably, an internal report from the Canadian government this month acknowledged that Khalistani extremist groups are receiving financial assistance from individuals and networks based in Canada. This includes organizations like Babbar Khalsa International and International SYF, which Canada has listed as terrorist organizations under its laws.