Canada Accuses Amit Shah of Targeted Violence Against Sikh Separatists

Canadian government accused union home minister Amit Shah of inciting violence in Canada and hinted at his involvement in targeting Khalistanis in the country. The allegations were first reported by the Washington Post. Consequently, the deputy foreign affairs minister David Morrison told the Canadian Parliament members of the national security committee that he had confirmed Shah’s name to the Washington Post. 

“The journalist called me and asked if it (Shah) was that person. I confirmed it was that person,” Morrison told the committee, according to the Associated Press. 

The Indian government dismissed Canada’s prior accusations over its involvement in violence against a Sikh separatist group in Canada. 

“At the (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) RCMP briefing, assertions were made about connections of certain individuals to India. In no case were any specifics provided. There was also talk about holding people accountable. But it was never made clear who and for what,” the Hindu reported, citing a source. 

Mounting Tensions Between India-Canada 

Tensions between the two nations surfaced after the Canadian government alleged the involvement of the Indian government in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani activist, in September last year. The Canadian government has also said that they have shared evidence that shows India’s link in the Nijjar Killing. However, the government of India has denied any such involvement. 

“The Canadian government has not shared a shred of evidence with the GOI, despite many requests from our side,” a press release by the ministry of external affairs noted. 

Severed Diplomatic Ties Have So Far Not Impacted Economic Partnership 

Earlier, this month, Canada’s foreign ministry asked 41 of its diplomats from India to return. The move by the government followed the Indian government’s threat to revoke their diplomatic immunity. 

Despite growing political differences so far, the trade between the two countries has remained unchanged. According to a recent report, by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), the bilateral merchandise trade has increased from $8.3 billion in FY23 to $8.4 billion in FY24. While India’s imports from Canada increased to $4.6 billion, exports nosedived to $3.8 billion. 

The report suggested that if the tensions continue for long, it will have economic consequences for both nations.