Context:

• India announced the expulsion of a Canadian diplomat after Canada asked an Indian official to leave that country, citing a “potential” Indian link to the killing of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar 

More about the issue: 

• A parade was organized in Brampton, Ontario, ahead of the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar(June 1984)
• Brampton, which hosts Canada’s largest Sikh population, witnessed a “referendum” on Khalistan organized by the pro-Khalistan group ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’ last year. 
  • SFJ claimed that over 100,000 people expressed support for Khalistan during this event.
• The Indian government strongly criticized this activity and called on Canada to restrict anti-India activities.
• India also requested that the Canadian government designate individuals as terrorists if they had received such designations in India. 

About the Khalistan Movement: 

• Separatist Movement: It aims to create a separate sovereign state called Khalistan (Land of the Khalsa seeks their state in Punjab which includes both India and Pakistan.
• Roots in Partition: It has roots in the pre-partition negotiations of 1947 between India and Pakistan, which led to the division of the Punjab region between these two nations.

Rise of Khalistani Movement in the West:

• Integration with Sikh diaspora: Khalistani separatists integrated themselves into the existing Sikh diaspora in western countries (exist in the UK, the US, and Australia, it’s in Canada where the group has achieved the most integration and political influence.), claiming political persecution back in India.
• Support from non state actors: Pakistan provided support to the movement in the context of its ongoing proxy conflict with India.
• Establishment of Organizations: The supporters of Khalistan established various groups in order to gain legitimacy by organizing conferences, held referendums and to expanded their political  influence.
• Exploitation of Vote Bank: Control over diaspora gave the separatists an advantage of a ready-made vote bank they could exploit. 

Why is Canada becoming an international hub of the Anti-India movement as well as a safe haven for criminals?

• Sizeable Sikh Population:  Canada has the second largest Sikh population in the world after India. provide Khalistani leaders with significant sway over local politics and governing bodies.
• Becoming Hub of Separatists: Canada proved to be an ideal place (Liberalism, Human Rights and Free Speech) which provide an environment for anti-Indian Propoganda fueled by Pakistan ISI and Separatists.
• Political Compulsions of Justin Trudeau: Jagmeet Singh and his liberal New Democratic Party (NDP) has gained popularity in Canada’s current political landscape. 
  • During the 2019 Canadian federal elections, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party got 157 seats which was 13 seats less than the majority. 
  • To form the government, it had to seek support from the NDP led Jagmeet Singh Dhaliwal, a separatist whose visa was denied by the Indian government in 2013. 
• Attitude of Canadian Authorities: Canadian laws have so many loopholes that it is very easy for any criminal to pass through the eyes of Canadian authorities. 
  • Renowned separatist leaders including Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Harjeet Singh Nijjar, Arshdeep Singh Arsh, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and many others are enjoying safe haven in Canada. 
• Deep entrenchment of drug cartels in Canadian Law enforcement agencies: Fugitives started channelizing the drugs coming from Afghanistan, America, and Latin America to their network in India & Europe with the help of Pakistan ISI. 
  • These cartels were established by Pakistan ISI in the nineties to fund the separatist movement in Indian Punjab. 

Security Implications for India:

• Exploitation by Non-state actors: Pakistan is facilitating cooperation between Sikh extremist groups and Pakistan-based Islamist organizations along with terrorist groups against India.
• Terror Financing: Money raised from the diaspora in the name of helping the needy are used to fund anti terror activities as well as anti-national elements
  • Crowdfunding through social media has emerged as a preferred tool for terror financing raising small amounts of money from a large number of individuals.
• Use of Social Media for Terrorist Propaganda: Social media is being used to spread terrorist propaganda, stream content and incite people to contribute to their cause.
  • Provoking speeches are delivered during religious congregations before the overseas Indian diaspora and the religious sentiments exploited
• Bane of Technology: Internet, deep-fake technologies proved a boon for anti-Indian elements to revive Khalistan narrative by propagating religious and fundamentalist agenda and circulating fake news.
  • Ex-during farmers agitation to instigate Punjab youth with the backing of Pak ISI.
  • The Khalistan supporters are widely active on social media, alluring the young Sikhs to join their movement. 
• Foreign Intervention and Criminal-Terrorists Nexus: Post-2015 there has been a rise in attempts to revive the militancy in Punjab, with most of the perpetrators based in Pakistan/western countries. 
  • Diaspora in the U.S.A, Canada, U.K. and other European countries were channeling funds and radicalising the youth in Punjab. 
• Narco- Terrorism: Since 2019, the ISI has been utilizing drones to deliver weapons and narcotics in border regions of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • At least twelve drone-based shipments have been detected since September 2019.

Way Forward: 

• Diplomatic Measures to Counter anti-India Separatist Movements:
  • Convey to host countries that they cannot simultaneously have good relations with India while allowing anti-India separatist movements to operate on their soil.
  • Diplomatic channels, including high-level meetings, demarches, and public statements.
• Countering Khalistani Propaganda:
  • Through regular dialogue, cultural and educational exchanges, and other initiatives that promote understanding and trust between the diaspora and the Indian government.
• Reciprocal Arrangements with Canada, UK, and US.
  • This means that these countries should take steps to crack down on Khalistani activities on their soil, similar to the steps that India has taken to counter Islamic terrorist organizations like ISIS.
• Establish a Unified Command Centre in Punjab:
  • This center would involve the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Military Intelligence, and Punjab Police.
  • It would help in the immediate dissemination of information and a much quicker response from the concerned agencies.
• Devising a Mechanism for the Extradition and Deportation of Terrorist Operatives:
  • This can be done through bilateral treaties and other arrangements with the countries where these operatives are located.

News Source: Indian Express

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