The Canada-India relationship has taken a dramatic turn, sparked by accusations, deep-rooted issues, and a complex history between the two countries and their Sikh communities. In September 2023, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dropped a bombshell in Parliament, alleging that India was behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist who advocated for Khalistan—a proposed independent Sikh state in northern India. Trudeau’s accusations against the Indian government shook Canada and India’s diplomatic ties, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomats and tensions escalating.

A History of Strained Ties

The tensions go back decades, shaped by both political moves and the migration of Sikhs, who now make up a significant part of Canada’s population, numbering around 800,000. Sikhism, a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century in northern India, has a rich cultural heritage. Many Sikhs moved to Canada and built communities there, but some also carried the controversial idea of an independent Khalistan state with them.

India has been wary of the Khalistan movement for years, especially after violent separatist activities shook the Indian state of Punjab in the 1980s, resulting in thousands of deaths. Although India largely stamped out Khalistan militancy within its borders, the movement’s echoes are still felt abroad in countries like Canada, where pro-Khalistan groups have a voice. Trudeau’s government has been accused of allowing Khalistan supporters to freely operate in Canada—a sentiment that has only fueled India’s concern.

India’s Bold Move to Reconnect

In 2016, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government tried to make amends and reach out to Sikhs in Canada. They invited a British Sikh activist, Jasdev Singh Rai, to help improve ties with the Sikh community in Canada. However, under pressure from pro-Khalistan groups, the Canadian government reportedly denied Rai entry. India, determined to mend fences, continued its outreach to the Sikh diaspora, lifting blacklists that prevented some Sikhs with past ties to the Khalistan movement from returning to India.

This decision enabled people like Ripudaman Singh Malik—an accused in the infamous 1985 Air India bombing—to visit India. Malik later praised Modi’s government for these changes, though this earned him enemies within the pro-Khalistan community. Malik was ultimately assassinated in 2022, sparking suspicion that he was killed for his softened stance on India.

A Diplomatic Showdown

The diplomatic crisis exploded when Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani activist, was murdered outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in 2023. Although some thought Nijjar’s death could have been a result of personal feuds or rivalries within the separatist community, pro-Khalistan groups immediately pointed fingers at India. Trudeau, without concrete evidence, accused India of involvement, a claim that soured relations between the two nations.

On the same day Trudeau made his allegations, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) held a press conference, saying that Indian diplomats in Canada were involved in “clandestine activities.” Trudeau doubled down by stating that India’s actions threatened public safety in Canada. The accusations led to a standoff: each country expelled diplomats, while Indo-Canadian communities found themselves divided over whom to believe.

Power and Politics: The Sikh Community in Canada

Canada’s Sikh community plays a prominent role in Canadian politics. Over the years, pro-Khalistan leaders have gained influence within gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in Canada. These gurdwaras collect substantial donations, which some suspect are used to support Khalistan-linked politicians. In fact, some prominent Canadian politicians, including members of Trudeau’s own party, have ties to the Sikh separatist cause. Trudeau once even boasted that he had more Sikh ministers in his cabinet than Modi.

However, not all Canadian Sikhs support Khalistan. According to some estimates, over 95% of them are not affiliated with the movement but often keep quiet to avoid backlash from the vocal pro-Khalistan minority. For India, the continued presence of a separatist movement abroad is concerning, especially since they see it as a threat to the peace in Punjab, a state still recovering from the traumas of past violence.

The Role of Politics

Critics argue that Trudeau’s bold accusations were a political move, possibly to distract from the challenges he faces at home. Facing calls for resignation from his party members, Trudeau’s administration may have used the India-Khalistan issue to shift the spotlight. Meanwhile, Indian officials argue that Trudeau’s statements lacked solid proof and were better handled through private diplomatic channels, rather than public accusations.

What Lies Ahead?

With both nations standing firm, Canada-India relations are likely to remain icy for some time. Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada continue to have a strong presence, and the future of the relationship may hinge on a change in leadership. Canadian Sikhs, who are largely apolitical in the conflict, may face pressure as the situation unfolds. The outcome will also affect trade, diplomacy, and the personal lives of Indian and Sikh communities in both countries.

Until Trudeau provides solid evidence of India’s involvement, a cloud of suspicion will linger. For now, Canada’s Sikh community remains a battleground, split between supporters of an independent Khalistan and those who wish for peaceful relations between Canada and India.