India's Foreign Minister Takes on Canada: Accuses Them of Harboring Terrorists and Organized Crime

In a visit to Washington this week, India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar addressed the ongoing row between India and Canada over the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He confirmed that he discussed India's concerns about Sikh separatist movement supporters in Canada with top United States government officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Jaishankar stated that both Blinken and Sullivan shared US views on the situation and that he explained India's concerns to them. He also noted that New Delhi has consistently rejected Canada's allegations of involvement in Nijjar's killing, calling them "absurd and politically motivated."

Jaishankar further accused Canada of harboring terrorists and organized crime, referring to Sikh separatists who are viewed by India as a security threat. The dispute between Canada and India escalated last week as both countries expelled diplomats and New Delhi suspended visa services in Canada due to purported threats against its consular staff. Jaishankar expressed that Indian diplomats in Canada feel unsafe and Canada has reported threats against its diplomats in India as well. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation into the killing but has not released specific evidence to support their accusations of Indian involvement.

Despite the tensions between Canada and India over this issue, the United States has voiced support for the Canadian probe, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressing deep concerns and the desire to see the investigation carried forward. While the meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken did not mention Canada or Nijjar's killing in the State Department's readout, they discussed a range of other issues, including India's G20 presidency and the creation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The United States views India as a key player in its Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China's rising influence in the region. However, India has faced criticism from progressives in the US Congress for its human rights record under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jaishankar also addressed the concept of freedom of speech, stating that India does not require lessons from others on the matter and emphasizing that freedom of expression should not extend to incitement of violence. He questioned how other countries would react if they were in India's position, with their diplomats, embassies, and citizens facing intimidation. Jaishankar also mentioned the attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in July, stating that it was raised during his visit to the US and described it as an ongoing discussion between the two countries.