KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Oct-2023
According to reports, John Kirby, the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, acknowledged the seriousness of Canadian allegations regarding India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and called for a thorough investigation while speaking to the press last week at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States (US). State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel also emphasized the importance of Canada's investigation and urged India to cooperate in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
02-Oct-2023
United States (US) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, while addressing the press in Washington, D.C., on October 2, stated that the US is working in close coordination with Canada regarding allegations of Indian government involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of carrying out the killing, a claim that India vehemently denied as absurd. The US has engaged with India to encourage cooperation in Canada's investigation, and Canada has shared these allegations with India, hoping for constructive engagement.
29-Sep-2023
A group of prominent Indian-Americans, including individuals such as Professor Indu Vishwanathan, Khanderao Kand from the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), Dr. Sampath Shivangi, Bharat Barai, Sukhi Chahal, and Sri Iyer, expressed concerns and called for action to protect the rights and safety of Canadian Indians and Hindus. They strongly condemned hateful comments and a hostile environment against Hindus in Canada, urging the Canadian government not to confuse freedom of expression with endorsing hate crimes. This response came after an offensive video by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), threatening Hindus in Canada, circulated widely.
29-Sep-2023
Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar launched the Congressional Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain American Caucus in the United States (US) Congress on September 29 to combat religious discrimination and promote religious freedom for these communities. Over two dozen US lawmakers joined the caucus in Washington DC in the US.
29-Sep-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, while addressing the press in Washington DC, United States (US), on September 29, expressed concerns about a 'climate of violence' and intimidation against Indian diplomats in Canada due to the presence of Sikh separatist groups advocating for Khalistan. He also confirmed that he had discussed the Canadian allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during their meeting on September 28.
29-Sep-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on September 29 stated that India is open to investigating allegations that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. He was referring to the case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar while addressing the press in Washington, D.C., in the United States (US). Jaishankar also expressed concerns about Canada's permissive attitude toward individuals advocating violence and extremism in relation to the Khalistan issue. He mentioned that Indian diplomats in Canada feel unsafe and are subjected to public intimidation, which has led to the temporary suspension of visa operations.
28-Sep-2023
According to sources, Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered information suggesting that Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar sought asylum in California to evade Indian authorities. Brar arrived in Canada in 2017 and subsequently moved to California, where he has been actively working to establish a hideout in Fresno City. The dossier also includes details about other Khalistani extremists and their associates. One such individual is Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, who openly admitted to a murder in 2022. Another person mentioned is Satinder Pal Singh, who maintains ties with Pakistan-based Sikh militant leaders and actively advocates for the Khalistani cause within Canadian Sikh communities.
28-Sep-2023
According to a United States (US) official, during a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on September 28 in Washington DC, Blinken urged India to cooperate with Canada's investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canada has alleged Indian government involvement in the killing, a claim India has dismissed. Despite the raised concerns, the official State Department statement made no direct mention of the case, and traditional allies like the US are approaching the matter cautiously, partly because of India's role as a counterweight to China's influence.
28-Sep-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on September 28 criticized Canada during an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, United States (US). He highlighted concerns about Canada providing a safe haven for Khalistan terrorists and expressed that, while Canada might appear differently to the US, India sees a troubling mix of issues in its relationship with Canada.
26-Sep-2023
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar criticized Canada's response to terrorism during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City on September 26. He urged nations not to react based on domestic political considerations and emphasized the importance of a fair and democratic international order, where rules apply equally to all. Additionally, he highlighted the need to address issues like vaccine inequality, climate action, and respecting territorial integrity without selective application.
25-Sep-2023
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an interview in the United States (US) on September 25. Sabry accused Trudeau of making unfounded allegations against India and of terrorists finding safe haven in Canada amid the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic dispute. He also criticized Trudeau for spreading false information about Sri Lanka's alleged genocide and questioned Trudeau's judgment for honoring a Second World War veteran associated with the Nazis.
25-Sep-2023
United States (US) Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Jim Costa on September 25 announced their intention to investigate Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations concerning the actions of the Indian government against Sikh 'activists' abroad. Swalwell expressed concern over reports of India's alleged targeting of Sikh activists and pledged to work with local and federal officials to protect the Sikh community. Meanwhile, Costa requested an official briefing on the alleged assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
25-Sep-2023
According to Pakistani sources, on September 25, hundreds of Khalistani supporters gathered outside the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City, United States (US), to condemn the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and demand Khalistan as an independent Sikh homeland. The protest followed Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's statement of "credible allegations" regarding India's involvement in Nijjar's murder. Demonstrators chanted slogans against Indian PM Narendra Modi and called for justice in Nijjar's case, with some expressing support for Khalistan.
24-Sep-2023
According to reports, Sukhman Dhami, a Sikh activist in the United States (US) and the founder of a group called Ensaaf, claimed to have received warnings from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about potential threats to their lives following the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Similarly, Pritpal Singh, Coordinator for the American Sikh Caucus Committee, also revealed that he and two other Sikh leaders in the US were warned by the FBI about threats to their lives, without specific information about the source. Meanwhile, Moninder Singh from the British Columbia province in Canada, a friend of terrorist Nijjar, disclosed that Nijjar and five others in Canada received warnings of an "imminent risk of assassination" but were not informed of Indian involvement.
23-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau called for reforms in the operation of India's intelligence services while firmly denouncing the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil as 'absolutely unacceptable' in an interview with the New York Times (NYT) in New York.
23-Sep-2023
According to reports, following the murder of Khalistani gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha, gangster Goldy Barar has reportedly gone into hiding in the United States (US) to avoid potential retaliation in Canada. Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy had claimed responsibility for Sukha's murder, sparking concerns of a gang war. Additionally, Lakhbir Singh Rode, with ties to Khalistani terrorists, has become active, raising concerns about increased violence and instability in both Punjab and Canada.
22-Sep-2023
United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in New York, on September 22 urged India to assist Canada in its probe into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Blinken stressed the importance of accountability and the gravity of 'transnational repression.' Canada has claimed that the Indian government and its operatives were involved in Nijjar's assassination.
21-Sep-2023
During the Climate Ambition Summit, convened on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau did not respond to any questions from the Indian press in New York City, United States (US). The Indian media had posed questions to PM Trudeau regarding India's rejection of his claims related to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
21-Sep-2023
The United States (US) National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan on September 21 expressed support for Canada's efforts to investigate allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Sullivan noted that they are in constant contact with both Canada and India and emphasized that no country receives a "special exemption".
20-Sep-2023
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in an interview in New York City on September 20, emphasized that the allegations levelled against India by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau are serious. Since investigations are ongoing, the Australian government will continue to monitor the progress of the investigations, he said.