Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has expressed alarm to Indian authorities over reports that India played a part in targeting Sikh activists in Canada.
Wong addressed the charges and restated Australia’s position on respecting the sovereignty and legal systems of both Canada and India during her meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Canberra.
The accusations surfaced when Canadian authorities revealed that Indian diplomats had participated in a campaign to target Canadian-based Sikh separatists.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police claim that Indian officials sent Indian organized criminal organizations information about Sikh activists, which resulted in extortion, threats, and even violent acts, such as drive-by shootings.
These claims also suggest that high-ranking Indian authorities, such as Home Minister Amit Shah, have approved of a larger pattern of harassment targeting Sikh activists in Canada.
Shah has been charged by Canada of approving intelligence collection and attacks against Sikhs in Canada, including the 2023 murder of well-known Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
David Morrison, Canada’s deputy foreign affairs minister, affirmed these claims, citing information that linked Shah to the planned violence.
India has responded to these assertions by denying any participation and describing them as “absurd” and “baseless.” Canada’s handling of the issue has also drawn criticism from Indian authorities, who claim that Ottawa is harming India’s reputation by giving the media unverified material.
Additionally, India expressed disapproval of the monitoring of its diplomats in Canada, calling it “unacceptable.”
Wong underlined that everyone, regardless of origin, has the right to feel safe in Australia, and that this is the country’s message to the Sikh community.
She also emphasized Australia’s support for the independence of judicial systems across the world and the rule of law.
