As Canada-India ties improve, Sikh Canadians fear ongoing threats are being overlooked in the rush to restore diplomatic and security cooperation.
Canada–India Warm Ties Spark Fresh Safety Fears at Home
A Rapid Diplomatic Thaw
Canada and India are moving quickly to restore relations after nearly two years of tensions, highlighted by allegations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. In recent public remarks, India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, dismissed those allegations as “preposterous,” insisting New Delhi has never engaged in such activity.
The shift comes as both countries look to rebuild ties following a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.
Community Unease As Security Concerns Persist
The warming of relations has stirred growing anxiety among Sikh Canadians, many of whom fear their safety is being sidelined for diplomatic gain.
Balpreet Singh of the World Sikh Organization said activists continue receiving RCMP “duty to warn” notices about imminent threats to their lives, indicating risks have not diminished. Sikh community members also report ongoing extortion attempts and shootings—problems the RCMP previously linked to networks with ties to India.
Ongoing Questions Around Criminal Networks
Sikh representatives argue that India must explain how criminal figures like Lawrence Bishnoi—a gang leader imprisoned in India for more than a decade—allegedly continue directing international operations.
Patnaik countered that India has taken action, noting the extradition of Bishnoi’s brother from the U.S. and Canada’s recent designation of the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. He emphasized that both governments have long acknowledged concerns around extremism and street-level safety.
Diplomacy Driven by Strategic Timelines
Political analysts note that both governments appear highly motivated to turn the page quickly.
Sanjay Ruparelia, a political scholar at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the period between the G7 and G20 summits created a strategic window for rapprochement, especially as both leaders face pressure to deliver economic wins without majority governments.
Recent steps—restored diplomatic staffing, renewed trade missions, and upcoming high-level visits—signal a mutual push to stabilize relations.
External Pressures Shape Priorities
A major catalyst, experts say, is the shifting global environment—particularly disruptions stemming from the U.S. under President Trump’s second term. Canada has faced economic shocks, while India was hit with steep U.S. tariffs on key exports.
Both nations now stand to benefit from greater bilateral co-operation in trade, security, critical minerals, and technology as they adjust to a more volatile geopolitical landscape.
Security Agencies Adapt to New Realities
Despite diplomatic momentum, Canadian intelligence agencies continue to flag India as a foreign-interference risk. CSIS’s latest report references both Indian state activity and Khalistani extremism, reflecting the complexity of the relationship.
Former CSIS director Ward Elcock said Canada “has fewer choices than it once did,” and must navigate ties with countries whose interests may not align with its own. While he expects India to be “more careful” after international scrutiny, he believes ongoing vigilance is essential.
Balancing Diplomacy and Domestic Protection
As Canada and India rebuild high-level engagement, Sikh Canadians warn that their safety concerns cannot be overshadowed by economic or geopolitical goals.
The coming months—particularly a potential visit by Carney to India in early 2026—will test whether the renewed partnership can coexist with credible protections for marginalized communities at home.
