In a provocative move that has heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun appeared on a Canadian national broadcaster. Pannun, the general counsel of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has a history of issuing threats against India and is designated as a terrorist.
During his televised appearance, Pannun criticized the “Modi regime” and labeled the Indian judicial system as “biased.” He vowed to persist in his Khalistani movement, claiming that an undercover agent from the U.S. had been hired to assassinate him.
This incident follows escalating tensions between the two nations, sparked by allegations regarding India’s involvement in the killing of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. In response to these allegations, India recently announced the withdrawal of its high commissioner and several other diplomats from Canada, strongly refuting Ottawa’s claims linking its officials to Nijjar’s death.
Pannun’s invitation to speak comes shortly after he released a video outlining his intentions to incite independence movements in states beyond Punjab, including Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland. He referred to his mission as “SFJ 2024 ONE India To 2047 NONE India,” suggesting a plan to “Balkanize” India.
Pannun has expressed his determination to leverage Canadian and American laws to further his agenda. Declared a terrorist by India in 2020, he has been at the forefront of promoting secessionist activities aimed at destabilizing the Indian Union.
The situation continues to unfold as both countries grapple with the implications of Pannun’s statements and the broader geopolitical ramifications of their strained relations.