WEBDESK: Tensions between Canada and India have flared again after a pro-Khalistan group opened a symbolic “Khalistan Embassy” in Surrey, British Columbia. The step was led by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara both long-time supporters of the Khalistan movement.
The so-called embassy has been set up within the gurdwara premises. A plaque reading “Republic of Khalistan” has been placed prominently at the site. Organisers say it symbolises the dream of a separate Sikh state.
Reports suggest that the provincial government of British Columbia indirectly helped fund the building. This includes a recent grant of 150,000 Canadian dollars for the installation of a lift. Officials insist the aid was routine support for community institutions. But the timing and symbolism make the move politically explosive for New Delhi.
The step comes as both countries try to repair relations damaged in 2023. That year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the charge and expelled Canadian diplomats. Ottawa responded in kind.
Recent talks on trade, visas and cultural exchange had aimed to rebuild trust. But the Khalistan Embassy is likely to derail those efforts.
India has yet to release an official statement. However, sources in New Delhi admit the move is a direct challenge to India’s territorial integrity. A strong protest to Ottawa is expected.
The Khalistan movement seeks to create a separate Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. It peaked in the 1980s and 1990s, when Indian forces carried out deadly crackdowns on Sikhs. While New Delhi has tried to crush the cause, Sikh communities abroad especially in Canada, the UK and the US – have revived it in recent years.
Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside India. Its government often struggles to balance free speech rights with India’s security concerns. Pro-Khalistan activism in Canada has long been a source of friction between the two nations.
Now, the opening of this symbolic embassy has become another test for both governments forcing them to navigate between domestic political pressures and international diplomacy.
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