Quick Hit:
A high-ranking official in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, is alleged to have directed efforts to intimidate or kill Canadian citizens linked to the Sikh separatist movement, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison told MPs on Tuesday.
Key Details:
- Deputy Foreign Minister Morrison testified that Shah allegedly authorized a campaign targeting Sikh separatists in Canada, leading to threats and violence.
- The RCMP claims Indian diplomats provided intelligence for use by criminal groups to carry out violent acts against pro-Khalistan activists.
- Canada has expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in a plot; India denies the allegations and counters by expelling Canadian diplomats.
Diving Deeper:
Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison testified Tuesday that India’s Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, a close confidant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, authorized covert operations intended to intimidate or eliminate Sikh separatist activists in Canada. Morrison’s revelation came during a hearing before Canada’s public safety and national security committee, where officials discussed the RCMP’s allegations of Indian government complicity in crimes within Canadian borders.
The testimony centered on an ongoing investigation into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist killed on Canadian soil. The RCMP claims that Indian diplomats and consular staff in Canada have been working with criminal organizations to surveil and target pro-Khalistan activists. Conservative MP Raquel Dancho pressed Morrison on details shared with The Washington Post, which identified Shah as the senior official allegedly orchestrating these operations. Morrison confirmed that Shah was indeed implicated.
Shah, often described as India’s “second most powerful man,” is accused of weaponizing Indian security agencies to suppress Khalistan activism globally. Advocacy group Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan organization, has called for Shah’s prosecution, condemning his alleged involvement in what it describes as “a well-thought-out policy” to eliminate pro-Khalistan voices abroad.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme also testified, revealing that Canadian police have gathered substantial evidence pointing to a coordinated effort by Indian officials and organized crime groups to intimidate and potentially harm Canadians. Duheme detailed that Indian diplomats had provided information about pro-Khalistan individuals, which was then allegedly used to orchestrate threats, extortion, and violent acts.
The Canadian government has since taken a hard stance, expelling six Indian diplomats, including India’s high commissioner to Canada. India, rejecting the allegations as politically motivated, responded by expelling Canadian diplomats from its territory. Indian officials claim Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is using these accusations to further a political agenda.
Duheme noted that since the expulsions, Canadian authorities have managed to improve safety for some members of the South Asian community, particularly those affiliated with the Khalistan movement. Thirteen Canadians have been warned of credible threats from Indian agents since September 2023, with some individuals receiving multiple warnings.