In a concerning development, Khalistani terrorists, previously known to operate from bases in Canada, the US, and the UK, have established a new operational base in Portugal, according to sources. In recent months, active criminals in Punjab, India, have reportedly received shipments of weapons from Portugal. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is believed to be supplying these Khalistani terrorists based in Portugal with arms and funds.
These weapons are being used to perpetrate criminal activities in Punjab and other parts of India.
One such incident involved a Khalistani terrorist, illegally residing in Portugal on a tourist visa, who was tasked by ISI with delivering an AK-47, an MP-5 machine gun, hand grenades, and pistols to active criminals in Punjab. Khalistani terrorists residing in Pakistan, Canada, and the UK have been consistently attempting to instigate violence in Punjab by recruiting active criminals into their groups.
In a related incident, Khalistani supporters attacked India’s consulate in San Francisco, attempting to set the diplomatic facility ablaze. This marked the second attack of this kind within a span of a few months, and the act drew a strong condemnation from the US government, which branded it a “criminal offence.” The Indian consulate serves an essential function, providing consular services and fostering bilateral relations between India and the United States. Hence, it is crucial that the consulate staff operates in a safe and secure environment, free from threats or harm.
In response to these events, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India has requested its partner countries, including Canada, the UK, and the US, to avoid giving space to extremist Khalistani ideology, as it harms relations. He added that such “radical, extremist Khalistani ideology” isn’t beneficial for India, its partner countries, or their relations. Meanwhile, following reports of Khalistani posters in Canada naming senior Indian diplomats, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly assured India of the safety of its diplomats. She stressed Canada’s commitment to the Vienna Conventions and its obligations regarding the safety of diplomats. The Khalistani issue has had significant impacts on relations between India and other countries in recent years, including Canada, where the response to the issue has been constrained by what Jaishankar referred to as “vote bank compulsions.”
