India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has issued a stern warning to Sikh separatist groups in Canada, stating that their activities are crossing a “big red line” concerning India’s national security and territorial integrity. Speaking at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, Verma emphasized that Indians will determine the fate of India, not foreigners.
He expressed concerns about national-security threats emanating from Canada and reiterated India’s stance against the celebration and glorification of violence. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs in India urged Canada to stop providing a safe haven and political space for criminal and secessionist elements. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly maintained allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, last year, while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police continues its investigation into the matter.