Saturday, March 29, 2025
“This Is Canada’s Problem, Not India’s”: Indian Diplomat’s Strong Statement on Khalistan Issue; Message to Trudeau
Ottawa, October 21, 2025 — India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has made a strong statement on the Khalistan issue, declaring that the threat posed by pro-Khalistan groups operating on Canadian soil is a domestic challenge for Canada — not India’s problem.
In an exclusive interview with CTV News, Patnaik dismissed allegations made during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tenure that linked Indian diplomats to Khalistani criminal activities, calling such accusations “baseless and absurd.”
Patnaik emphasized that India cannot be held responsible for security challenges arising from extremist groups in Canada.
“This is not an Indian problem,” he said. “The Khalistan issue is not solely India’s responsibility. Canada cannot treat this as an Indian issue — it’s a Canadian problem created by Canadian citizens.”
He also expressed frustration over personal security concerns, adding,
“It feels strange that a High Commissioner must live under protection here. I am under security cover — and I shouldn’t have to be in a country like Canada.”
Patnaik’s comments came shortly after Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to New Delhi, where she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides issued a joint statement committing to cooperation in areas such as trade and artificial intelligence.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Anand stressed that public safety remains Canada’s top priority and called for independent legal investigations into crimes committed on Canadian soil.
Following her trip, the Sikh Association of Canada accused the Canadian government of “bargaining community safety for diplomacy.”
Its president, Maninder Singh, stated:
“Deepening economic and diplomatic ties with India while Khalistan supporters face continuous threats from Indian agents is not responsible diplomacy.”
Patnaik noted that recent high-level discussions between Ottawa and New Delhi have focused on the overall security landscape, including the influence of Khalistani organizations.
“We are discussing various security scenarios currently faced in this country,” he said, underlining that mutual security cooperation also includes ensuring the safety of Canadians in India.
In 2023, tensions escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, claiming to have “credible evidence” — though no solid proof was ever presented. India dismissed the accusations as unfounded, leading to a sharp diplomatic standoff that strained bilateral ties.
Over time, however, relations have gradually begun to normalize, as both countries recognize the need for pragmatic engagement despite political differences.
