Canadian Sikh leader and New Democratic Party (NDP) head, Jagmeet Singh, faced intense scrutiny from reporters on Tuesday following his call for severe sanctions against Indian diplomats amidst escalating tensions between Canada and India. Singh, a former ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urged for immediate action, citing security threats posed by Indian officials in Canada. The press conference quickly turned contentious as Singh struggled to address concerns about the economic and diplomatic repercussions of his stance.
When asked by a journalist about the potential economic fallout from imposing sanctions on Indian diplomats, Singh defended his position, stating, “We need to bring severe sanctions on Indian diplomats. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has said Indian diplomats are hiring criminal elements to shoot at Canadians. Why would we do anything other than impose severe sanctions?”
He added that the Modi government must be held accountable, calling on Canadian leaders to unite in condemning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom Singh accused of putting Canadians at risk. “We need to protect Canadians by prioritising their safety,” the 45-year-old politician and known Khalistani sympathiser said before abruptly ending the press conference.
As Singh left the room, one reporter was overheard mockingly stating, “That’s not how it works,” prompting laughter from the press corps.
The diplomatic row intensified after the RCMP claimed that Indian agents in Canada had collaborated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistan figures. Singh, who had supported Trudeau’s minority government for over two years before withdrawing support last month, has long been associated with Khalistani rallies and advocates for a separate Sikh state. His comments come in the wake of heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
Earlier, Canada’s Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, hinted at potential sanctions against Indian diplomats, stating that “everything was on the table” in response to the diplomatic rift. The situation escalated further when India downgraded its diplomatic ties with Canada after Ottawa accused Indian officials of being involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan leader, on Canadian soil. India has consistently denied the allegations, labelling them as “preposterous” and accusing Trudeau of harbouring extremists under the guise of freedom of speech.
In recent weeks, both nations have recalled diplomats, with India criticising Canada for failing to provide evidence to support its claims or to address the growing presence of separatist elements in Canada. Relations between the two countries have been strained since September, following Trudeau’s accusation of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing in Surrey, British Columbia, a charge New Delhi has dismissed as “motivated and absurd.”
Singh also issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing concern for the safety of Canadian Sikhs, whom he claimed were facing threats, harassment, and violence allegedly orchestrated by Indian diplomats. He called for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Canada and reiterated his call for sanctions against India.
“Canadians, particularly the Sikh community, have been stalked by fear, threats, and violence, including extortion and electoral interference, allegedly at the hands of Indian officials,” Singh stated, adding that since September 2023, at least 13 individuals have received grave threats, according to the RCMP. He concluded by urging the Canadian government to take decisive action to ensure the safety of its citizens.
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