Canada has leveled new allegations against Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, claiming he is behind plots to intimidate and target Sikh leaders in Canada. The accusation, confirmed by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison, further strains diplomatic relations between the two countries. Morrison shared with a parliamentary panel that he told a US-based newspaper Shah was behind the alleged campaign against Sikh leaders. These allegations have intensified tensions, with the Indian government rejecting the claims as unfounded.
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Rising Tensions Over Sikh Autonomy
The allegations add to an already complicated situation involving the Sikh independence movement, which calls for an autonomous state known as Khalistan. India has labeled pro-Khalistan leaders as threats, stemming from a history of violent conflicts in the 1980s and 1990s that left tens of thousands dead. During this period, calls for Sikh independence were met with an aggressive government response, most notably in 1984 when security forces raided the Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs, to remove armed Sikh leaders. That operation led to the assassination of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, sparking anti-Sikh riots that resulted in thousands of deaths.
Recent Expulsions and Global Concerns
In mid-October, Canada expelled several Indian diplomats, citing alleged involvement in the 2023 murder of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. As a result, India responded by expelling Canadian diplomats. This incident has raised concerns beyond Canada, with similar claims surfacing in the United States. Washington has charged a former Indian intelligence officer, Vikash Yadav, for allegedly orchestrating a failed plot to kill Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and vocal critic of India, in New York. Following this, the FBI issued warnings regarding the safety of US residents potentially targeted by foreign actors.
Implications for International Relations
The current allegations against India have added complexity to its relations with Western allies, including the United States and Canada, which often see India as a crucial partner in countering China’s influence. Although New Delhi has refrained from directly addressing these recent claims, it did announce in late 2023 that it would formally investigate the accusations from the United States regarding potential targeting of Sikh leaders on American soil.
In conclusion, as diplomatic strains continue, these allegations highlight the precarious balance in Canada-India relations, with Sikh independence advocates caught in the middle of escalating tensions.
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