Canadian Sikh leader and New Democratic Party (NDP) chief, Jagmeet Singh, stirred controversy when he called for sanctions on Indian diplomats during a press conference. Facing a tough line of questioning from reporters, Singh abruptly walked out of the room, a move that drew mockery from some journalists.
Singh, a known supporter of Khalistani separatism, urged the Canadian government to impose severe sanctions on Indian diplomats, citing claims from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Indian diplomats were allegedly working with criminal elements to target Canadians. “We need to bring severe sanctions on Indian diplomats. The Modi government has to be held accountable, and we all need to be unified as Canadian leaders,” Singh stated, referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The incident occurred amidst an escalating diplomatic row between India and Canada, sparked by allegations of Indian involvement in the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted pro-Khalistan figure in Canada. While India dismissed these claims as “absurd” and “motivated,” the rift has seen both countries recall diplomats and issue sharp public statements.
Singh, who had previously supported Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government before withdrawing that support, has been vocal about his criticism of India’s government. However, his call for sanctions was met with skepticism, particularly after a journalist mockingly remarked, “That’s not how it works,” as Singh left the press conference, leading to laughter among the media.
Singh has a history of involvement with rallies promoting Khalistani separatism and has long advocated for a separate Sikh state. His comments come after Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly hinted at the possibility of sanctions against Indian diplomats, stating that “everything was on the table” as the diplomatic spat deepened.
In a statement, Singh alleged that Canadian Sikhs were being “stalked by fear, threats, and harassment” from Indian diplomats, calling for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) network in Canada. He also expressed concern over the safety of Canadians, claiming that at least 13 people had been warned by the RCMP about grave threats from Indian officials.
The India-Canada rift has grown since Trudeau’s September 2023 accusation of Indian government agents’ involvement in Nijjar’s assassination. While Ottawa maintains these claims, India has consistently denied any involvement, urging Canada to provide evidence and tackle pro-Khalistan extremism within its borders.
As tensions persist, the diplomatic fallout has further strained relations between the two countries, with both sides engaging in tit-for-tat measures. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as it evolves.
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