Khalistani leader Pannun admits SFJ's ties with Trudeau amid Canada-India diplomatic row

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel of the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has confirmed that his organization has maintained communication with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office for the past two to three years. In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Pannun stated that the SFJ has been sharing detailed information regarding alleged Indian espionage networks operating on Canadian soil. He described the contact with Trudeau’s office as a crucial avenue for raising awareness about these activities.

This revelation comes amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, triggered by the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and Sikh separatist leader, who was killed in June 2023. Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by India in 2020, and Canada has accused Indian agents of being involved in his assassination. In response to these allegations, both nations have expelled diplomats, signaling a deterioration in relations.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has alleged that Indian government agents have engaged in widespread violence in Canada, including intimidation and targeting of pro-Khalistani activists. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme indicated a connection between Indian diplomats and violent actions against the South Asian community in Canada. In this context, Pannun emphasized that the expulsion of Indian diplomats is just the beginning and called for the permanent closure of Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto.

Despite these serious allegations, India has categorically denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing and dismissed the accusations as baseless. Officials in New Delhi have expressed that Canada has presented no concrete evidence to support its claims. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that the allegations reflect Canada’s "cavalier behavior" and emphasized that the responsibility for the strain in bilateral relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau's government.

Trudeau, while addressing a parliamentary inquiry, acknowledged that Canada had "clear indications" of India violating its sovereignty but admitted that the allegations were based on intelligence rather than hard evidence. This lack of solid proof has been a point of contention, as India maintains that such serious accusations must be backed by substantial evidence.