Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has raised concerns with her Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, regarding allegations that India has been targeting Sikh activists in Canada. Wong’s comments come amid escalating tensions following accusations from Canadian authorities and a similar investigation in the U.S. In a recent meeting in Canberra, Wong reiterated Australia’s support for Canada’s judicial process, emphasizing Australia’s stance on the rule of law, judicial independence, and the safety of all residents.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police recently alleged that Indian diplomats in Canada had been gathering intelligence on Sikh separatists, sharing it with Indian government officials who, in turn, relayed this information to organized crime groups targeting these activists with threats, shootings, and other violent tactics. India’s government has strongly denied these claims, calling them “baseless and absurd.”
Adding to the diplomatic strain, U.S. authorities in October charged an Indian government employee with planning the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in New York, allegedly as part of a broader effort to eliminate political dissidents in North America.
Australian Foreign Minister Wong assured Australia’s Sikh community of their safety, stating, “People have a right to be safe and respected in Australia, regardless of who they are.” Wong emphasized Australia’s commitment to the sovereignty and safety of its citizens, aligning with Canada as a member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.
Jaishankar responded by accusing Canada of surveillance on Indian diplomats, calling it “unacceptable.” He also condemned a recent incident of vandalism at a Hindu temple near Toronto, where clashes erupted between supporters of the Sikh separatist movement and others holding India’s national flag. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence, affirming the right of all Canadians to practice their faith safely.
This recent tension stems from an ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, which began when Trudeau suggested credible evidence linked India to the 2023 assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The situation has led to reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats and heightened scrutiny over allegations of foreign interference in both countries.
