Canadian Minister meets pro-Khalistan group ‘World Sikh Organisation’ amid diplomatic standoff with India

Amid India-Canada diplomatic tensions, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc, met with leaders of the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), a pro-Khalistan group, on Monday (Nov. 18). 

The meeting comes as tensions over Khalistani separatism in Canada continue to rise and as diplomatic relations between the two nations remain strained, with India criticising Canada’s alleged leniency towards Khalistani extremists.

As per a post on X by LeBlanc, it was focused on discussing “community safety”.

“Law enforcement and governments are working together to ensure the safety of the Sikh community in Canada,” said the Canadian minister.

WSO, in a post on X, acknowledged the meeting and said that it “highlighted specific issues such as the existing intelligence sharing framework with India that puts Canadian lives at risk and the threat of extremist Hindutva groups in Canada like HSS and Shiv Sena.”

The group’s X account is blocked in India.

The meeting comes as India and Canada continue to be engaged in a diplomatic row over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims of New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has categorically denied the allegations as “preposterous” and has been demanding proof to back the claim.

In response to Trudeau’s accusations, India expelled Canadian diplomats and recalled its ambassador.

A pro-Khalistani organisation, the World Sikh Organisation, was founded in 1984. As per its website, its primary aim is to “protect and promote the interests of Sikh Canadians”.

The group in a 2007 statement said they were committed to “strive, through peaceful means, for the establishment of a Sikh nation, KHALISTAN, in order to protect the Sikh identity and faith as ordained by the Guru Panth in the daily prayer RAJ KAREGA KHALSA”.

On its website, the group has a number of anti-India press releases, including one celebrating Canada declaring India as a “significant threat to public safety,” in Canada. In October, Canada claimed that it has found “clear and compelling evidence that agents of India’s government have engaged in and continue to engage in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.”

WSO President Danish Singh, as per the press release, said at that time: “Sikhs in Canada have said from the outset that the trail from Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder leads directly to India’s consulates and the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. India’s announcement that they are withdrawing these diplomats from Canada seems less like a diplomatic manoeuvre and more like an effort to shield accused individuals from facing justice.”

 

(With inputs from agencies)