Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed Tuesday, November 5 that she addressed allegations with her Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, regarding alleged targeting of Sikh activists in Canada.
These claims have heightened diplomatic tensions between India and several nations, as the issue has recently drawn international scrutiny, particularly from members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, of which Australia is part.
The accusations trace back to recent Canadian intelligence reports, which allege that senior Indian officials coordinated efforts to target Sikh activists in Canada by passing their details to organized crime groups back in India.
Canadian law enforcement officials claim these groups then engaged in criminal acts against the activists, including harassment, extortion, and even attempts at murder. This situation has prompted growing anxiety among Sikh communities worldwide, including in Australia.
Australia’s Position on Alleged Human Rights Violations
In a press conference with Jaishankar, Wong conveyed her government’s firm stance on human rights and the rule of law. “We’ve made clear our concerns about the allegations under investigation,” she said.
Wong emphasized that Australia’s position “in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary” is unwavering, and she voiced a commitment to upholding “the sovereignty of all countries.”
Jaishankar, however, dismissed Canada’s allegations, arguing that Indian diplomats have been unfairly monitored in Canada. According to Jaishankar, this level of surveillance is “unacceptable,” reflecting a deeper concern from India that these accusations are politically motivated.
The diplomatic rift between India and Canada intensified last month after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed “credible evidence” pointed to the involvement of Indian officials in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist, in Canada.
India has consistently denied the accusations, calling them “absurd and baseless,” and has pointed to a lack of evidence to support such claims.
Growing Security Concerns and Rising Diplomatic Tensions
The Canadian public, meanwhile, has grown increasingly alarmed at the unfolding situation. Last weekend, a Hindu temple near Toronto became the site of clashes between Sikh separatist demonstrators and individuals bearing Indian flags.
Demonstrations broke out within the temple grounds, leading to a police order to disperse when weapons were allegedly spotted in the crowd. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau condemned the violence, stating that “every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his part, expressed outrage over the incident, adding that such “cowardly” acts would not deter India’s resolve to address security concerns abroad.
The tensions have extended to diplomatic expulsions. Last month, both Canada and India ordered the departure of each other’s top diplomats amid the intensifying rhetoric over the Sikh separatist issue.
This comes as New Delhi has urged Canada to arrest individuals it claims are promoting the Khalistan movement, a separatist campaign for an independent Sikh homeland in India. Canada maintains that advocating for separatism, while not in line with its policies, is legal under its free speech laws.
Meanwhile, Trudeau has conveyed that his government will cooperate with India on issues of terrorism and incitement but will not infringe on free speech.
Jaishankar summed up by stating, “We believe in freedoms, but we also believe freedom should not be misused.” Wong’s message to the Sikh community was clear: “People have a right to be safe and respected in Australia, regardless of who they are.”
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