India-Canada Diplomatic Tensions Over Khalistani Threat
Background
India has expressed concerns to Canada regarding separatism and the Khalistani threat in the past. The diplomatic relations between the two countries hit a low point when Ottawa accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last year. India refuted these accusations, labeling them as “baseless” and “absurd”.
The Incident
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. He had been designated as a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020.
Allegations of Providing Safe Haven
India has raised concerns to Canada about providing safe havens for terrorists. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the issue of terrorists finding refuge abroad, including in Canada. The then MEA spokesperson emphasized the need for Canada to take action against individuals facing terrorism charges.
NIA’s Crackdown
In 2023, the National Investigation Agency launched a crackdown on terror networks, revealing the identities of 43 accused individuals, many of whom had connections in Canada.
List of NIA-Designated Individuals with Canada Links
- Lawrence Bishnoi
- Jasdeep Singh
- Kala Jatheri alias Sandeep
- Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana
- Joginder Singh
- …and more
