Ottawa: In a controversial move, Canadian national television recently invited Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stirring further tensions between India and Canada. Pannun, who serves as the general counsel for the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has a history of issuing open threats to India. He was officially declared a terrorist by India in 2020 for his involvement in promoting separatist activities.

During his TV appearance, Pannun spoke against the Indian government and its judicial system, calling them "biased." He also reiterated his commitment to the Khalistani movement, claiming that "a US undercover agent was hired to assassinate him." His remarks come at a time of strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada.

 Diplomatic ispute intensifies

The diplomatic row between the two nations escalated recently when Canadian officials accused the Indian government of being involved in the June 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India firmly denied these allegations, leading to the withdrawal of its high commissioner and several diplomats from Canada. In response, India also suspended six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler.

Pannun’s new threats

Pannun's appearance on Canadian television follows the release of a video where he announced plans to extend his separatist activities beyond Punjab. His mission, titled “SFJ 2024: ONE India To 2047 NONE India,” threatens to ignite independence movements in other regions of India, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. Pannun’s ultimate goal, according to his statement, is to "Balkanize the Union of India."

Using the legal protections in Canada and the United States, Pannun vowed to continue his campaign for these independence movements, warning that the SFJ will keep pushing for the disintegration of India. His growing influence in these countries has raised concerns about how these movements may affect India’s internal security.