Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _The Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, an influential body representing Singh Sabha gurdwaras worldwide, has urged the Akal Takht the highest temporal authority for Sikhs to step in as diplomatic relations between India and Canada worsen, creating waves of fear and concern among the Sikh diaspora. The ongoing tensions have significantly impacted Sikhs who have strong familial, economic, and cultural connections to Punjab. This issue, initially centered on allegations between Canada and India, has now extended to other nations within the “Five Eyes” alliance, which includes the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, where large Sikh communities reside.
In their official statement, the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha expressed deep concern over the ripple effect these diplomatic conflicts are having on the Sikh diaspora, particularly in regard to increasing restrictions on visa applications for Sikhs who wish to travel to India. Many members of the diaspora are reportedly facing difficulties in securing visas, a development that has caused distress for families and businesses with ties to their homeland. The statement also criticized Akali Dal factions, which claim to represent Sikh interests, for remaining silent during this critical period, despite seeking the Akal Takht’s intervention on internal Sikh community matters.
The diplomatic row began with the targeting of the Sikh diaspora, a group that has historically played an important role in advocating for issues related to Sikh autonomy and identity. Tensions reached a boiling point following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist in Canada, which was followed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly suggesting the possibility of Indian government involvement. Both nations subsequently expelled senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat escalation.
This situation has further intensified in the global context, with NDP leader Jagmeet Singh the most prominent Sikh politician in Canada urging the Canadian government to impose diplomatic sanctions against India. Jagmeet Singh emphasized that the Sikh community in Canada is “stalked by fear” amid these heightened tensions, and he warned of the broader consequences for Canada’s international standing and its relationship with India. The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has become a focal point of the diplomatic fallout, with Singh accusing the Indian government of being complicit in transnational repression, a charge that India denies.
Further adding to the strain, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has warned India’s remaining diplomats in Canada that their activities will be closely monitored, following the expulsion of India’s high commissioner to Canada. She compared the current diplomatic situation with India to that of Russia, warning that Canada will not tolerate transnational repression within its borders. The allegations of Indian involvement in the Nijjar case, alongside rising tensions, are straining what was once a robust economic and political relationship between the two nations.
In a broader sense, the conflict between India and Canada has taken on a geopolitical dimension, especially as it spills over into other nations with large Sikh populations. The Five Eyes alliance nations comprising Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have all been drawn into the conversation, with their large Sikh populations feeling the aftershocks of the India-Canada standoff. Many Sikhs in these countries face similar concerns regarding visa access to India, further complicating their relationship with their ancestral homeland.
The Akal Takht’s intervention is being seen by many as crucial in helping navigate this precarious situation. The institution has historically been a source of moral and political authority within the Sikh community, and its involvement could potentially lend weight to efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.
However, despite the growing tension and the call for intervention, the diplomatic future between India and Canada remains uncertain. Support for a separate Sikh state is largely absent within Sikh communities in India and the movement for Khalistan has been mainly amplified by certain sections of the Punjabi Sikh diaspora in the Five eye nations.