A leaked memorandum from the Indian government instructed consulates in North America to launch a “sophisticated crackdown scheme” against Sikh diaspora organizations in Western countries in April 2023, according to a report.
The memo was obtained from India’s Ministry of External Affairs by The Intercept and lists several Sikh dissidents who were under investigation by India’s government, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“Concrete measures shall be adopted to hold the suspects accountable,” reads the memo.
In June, Nijjar was murdered in Surrey, B.C., only two months after being named as a target in the document.
Titled “Action Points on Khalistan Extremism,” the memo blamed Sikh activists for engaging in “anti-India propaganda,” as well as acts of “arson and vandalization.”
The document instructs officials at its consulate to confront the groups Sikhs for Justice, Babbar Khalsa International, Sikh Youth of America, Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, World Sikh Parliament, and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar America.
Nijjar is listed as one of the “suspects” affiliated in one of these groups, as well as a leader of one of the other listed groups, Sikhs for Justice, who was the target of an assassination attempt foiled by U.S. agents last week, involving Nikhil Gupta and potentially targeted Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
After it was leaked to the press the Indian government responded by saying, “there is no such memo.”
“We strongly assert that such reports are fake and completely fabricated,” wrote Indian spokesperson Shri Arindam Bagchi. “This is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India.”
Bagchi also questioned The Intercept’s credibility, writing, “The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage. Those who amplify such fake news only do so at the cost of their own credibility.”
The classified memo was reportedly signed by Vinay Kwatra, India’s foreign secretary, and distributed only to certain Indian consulates in North America.
A forensic handwriting expert analyzed Kwatra’s signature and found it to match records of his signature in other, previous documents.
Canadian and U.S. officials have been sharing intelligence on the matter, including intercepted communications of Indian government officials and have determined that India was involved in Nijjar’s murder and more recently the assassination attempt on Pannun.
Following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that the Indian government had involvement in Nijjar’s murder, a diplomatic fallout ensued between Canada and India, including the expulsion of senior diplomats from both countries, India’s halting of visas for Canadian citizens and travel warnings.
“There are about one million Sikhs in North America alone,” the Indian memo allegedly says. “The growing anti-India activities and propaganda by pro-Khalistan elements are of great concern for India.” The memo also said that members of Sikh organizations have “penetrated the mainstream politics in the U.S. and Canada,” and are working to “manipulate the countries’ policy towards India.”
The memo also advises Indian authorities living in Canada and the U.S. to cultivate better relationships with local law enforcement agencies and “think tanks,” to allow them to monitor Sikh activists.
Additionally, it calls for the recruitment of the Indian diaspora to help them in this campaign. “Indian diaspora needs to be mobilized,” it reads.
“These organizations could be cultivated as vital force (sic) in the street confrontation with Sikh extremists,” it continued.
“Special efforts should be paid to establish cooperation with moderate Sikhs, so as to integrate the neutral Sikh community.”
