Canada accuses Shah of targeting Sikh separatists

The Canadian government on Tuesday alleged that Indian Union home minister Amit Shah orchestrated plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil, escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. The FBI previously issued warnings against any retaliation directed at a US resident, underscoring the potential risks. In response, India announced it would formally investigate these allegations by November 2023.

The allegations, which were first reported by The Washington Post, claimed Canadian officials believe Shah was behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatist activists in Canada. Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed to a parliamentary committee that he had identified Shah as the official involved when questioned by a reporter.

However, Morrison refrained from providing further evidence or details. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa and India’s Foreign Ministry have not issued any immediate responses yet.

India, which views Sikh separatist groups as “terrorists” and national security threats, has firmly denied these accusations, calling Canada’s claims baseless. Diplomatic tensions reached new heights in October when Canada expelled Indian diplomats over alleged links to the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India responded with reciprocal expulsions of Canadian diplomats.

The situation has also drawn in Washington, which charged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav for an alleged attempt to murder Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, in New York. The accusations now place significant strain on both Canada and the US’s diplomatic relationships with India, a key partner in the West’s efforts to counterbalance China’s influence in the region.