Canada is giving Khalistani separatism “space” that’s allowing it to balloon, an Indian official warns.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a recent interview that Canadian politics abets the growth of Kahlistani activism by allowing separatists to propagate their radical ideology.
Jaishankar’s comments, made to the Asian news outlet ANI, are the latest in an escalating row between Canada and India over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C..
“The issue at heart is the fact that in Canadian politics, these Khalistani forces have been given a lot of space and allowed to indulge in activities which, I think, are damaging the relationship, and are clearly not in India’s interest, and not in Canada’s interest either. But unfortunately, that is the state of their politics,” Jaishankar said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of overseeing a plot to assassinate Nijjar and other prominent Sikh activists, an accusation which India has denied.
He also clarified that the recent G20 summit in New Delhi had no relation to the Khalistan issue in Canada. Trudeau made the explosive assassination allegations shortly after returning the trip and subsequent reports indicate that his delegation raised the issue with India privately.
“Getting everybody around on a G20 has nothing to do with the Khalistan issue in Canada. The Khalistan issue is not new,” said Jaishankar.
“I can explain my government, my prime minister. It’s not for me to speculate on other prime ministers.”
Jaishankar’s comments came amid heightened tension between India and Canada.
A recent video message from a Sikh separatist leader warned against flying with Air India on Nov. 19.
The video, posted by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent advocate of the Khalistan movement, claimed that Air India flights could face “dire consequences” on that day. However, no attacks were reported on any flights at the time.
The Indian government condemned the video as a “terrorist threat” and said it would raise the matter with the Canadian authorities.
“We shall take up the threat against Air India flights originating from and terminating in Canada, with the concerned Canadian authorities,” said Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s high commissioner to Canada.
