Sikh Separatist Saga Resurfaces, Straining Indo-West Relations

Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din

Relations between India and the West are once again embroiled in controversy, this time revolving around Sikh separatists who have migrated to North America, advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan. Indian authorities have rejected accusations of involvement in the assassination of a local Sikh community leader, Hardip Singh Nijjar, in Canada last year. The scandal erupted following the arrest by Canadian police of three Indian citizens suspected of involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist. Meanwhile, The Washington Post has accused Indian intelligence agencies of plotting to assassinate another prominent Sikh separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The “Sikh issue,” which strained relations between Ottawa and Delhi last autumn, has regained momentum against the backdrop of parliamentary elections taking place in India from April to June, and preparations for a new political cycle. Commenting on the arrest of three Indians in Canada suspected of involvement in the murder of a prominent Sikh representative in June 2023 in the Canadian province of British Columbia, Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar sharply stated: “They (Canadian authorities) always shift the blame to India. But Canadian investigative agencies never provide any evidence. I see it as a political game.”

Jaishankar speculated about the suspects, stating, “Apparently, they are Indians with a criminal past,” thereby rejecting the notion that the three alleged criminals are in any way associated with the Indian state. He emphasized that there is a clan rivalry within the Sikh community in Canada, with which the Indian government has no involvement. In light of this, Subramaniam Jaishankar urged Ottawa to await the conclusion of the investigation and to refrain from “rocking the boat” again in relations with Delhi.

In September of last year, Canadian authorities first accused India of involvement in the murder of Hardip Singh Nijjar, pointing to information about an “Indian conspiracy” obtained by the alliance of intelligence agencies from the US, Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand, known as the “Five Eyes.” According to Bloomberg, “Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau’s team collaborated with the US and Britain in the investigation, joined by other allies from the EU and NATO.”

The ensuing scandal led to a series of loud exchanges from both sides, during which India, as one of the steps, decided to significantly reduce the number of Canadian diplomatic personnel working in the country. Through tremendous efforts from Ottawa and Delhi, the scandal was somewhat quelled, but it resurfaces today with renewed vigor.

Prior to the arrest of the three Indian citizens suspected of involvement in the Sikh leader’s murder, Prime Minister Trudeau spoke at a Toronto dinner celebrating the Sikh New Year on April 28. Reminding the audience that nearly 800,000 Sikhs – immigrants from India – reside in Canada, he pledged that his government “will always stand by them” to protect their rights and freedoms. In his address, the Canadian leader specifically mentioned the history of the assassination of Hardip Singh Nijjar, noting that Ottawa “cannot ignore it.”

Trudeau’s appearance at the Sikh New Year celebration, where calls for the separation of Punjab state from India and the establishment of an independent state on its territory were heard, sparked outrage in Delhi.

It is worth noting that since the 1970s, Sikh separatists have been engaged in armed struggle for the independence of Punjab state, home to the Sikh’s main shrine in Amritsar – the Golden Temple. Many Sikhs, recognized as terrorists in their historical homeland, have been forced to migrate to the West, primarily to Canada and the US, to continue their struggle from across the ocean.

Balpreet Singh, spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization, commented: “I believe the Canadian government has shown excessive leniency towards Indian interference in the country’s affairs, which we have seen over the past four decades. Ultimately, the Canadian Sikh community has been the main victim.”

Meanwhile, news regarding the Sikh issue has also emerged from the United States in recent days.

Last week, The Washington Post reported that, according to its data, India’s foreign intelligence agency (RAW) and its employee Vikram Yadav were preparing the murder of one of the leaders of the American Sikh community in the United States.

“An Indian intelligence service officer was conveying final instructions to a group of hired killers to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, one of the most ardent American critics of Prime Minister (Narendra – Kommersant) Modi,” The Washington Post reported.

The closest associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada, after his death, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, made threats against Indian leaders. His blacklist included the Prime Minister, the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the National Security Advisor. “This is a message to those who killed Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We call for your death. We are coming for you,” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in one of the video messages.

Founded in 2007, Sikhs for Justice operates legally in the United States as an NGO and calls for the creation of Khalistan. The organization was banned in India in 2019 for promoting separatism.