Canada accuses India’s Amit Shah over campaign targeting Sikh separatists

Ottawa says the close ally of India’s PM is involved in an intimidation campaign against Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. Indian sources call the allegations ‘flimsy’.

Canada has accused Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah of being behind a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh activists, in a move likely to extend a recent diplomatic spat between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed to the members of the national security committee late on Tuesday that the government considers Shah – considered India’s second-highest leader and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – the architect of the campaign against Sikh separatists in Canada, which has included the assassination of an activist.

India has not so far responded, however, Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that government officials had rejected the accusation.

Morrison told committee members that he had confirmed Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which had earlier reported the allegations.

“The journalist called me and asked if it was that person. I confirmed it was that person,” Morrison told the committee. He did not reveal the evidence behind Canada’s allegation.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously said Canada has credible evidence that agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023.

The assassination and aftermath have caused a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

Canada expelled Indian diplomats that it linked to the campaign it claims has targeted Sikhs. India responded with its own expulsion of Canadian officials.

The United States also charged a former Indian intelligence