In a move that has reignited diplomatic tensions, a so-called Embassy of Khalistan has been set up in Surrey, Canada. The initiative, linked to Khalistani organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Temple, has sparked both domestic and international concern. The board outside the building boldly reads “Republic of Khalistan,” marking it as a symbolic base for the separatist movement.
Funded Building Raises New Questions
The building housing this so-called embassy sits within the gurdwara premises and serves as a community centre. Local residents revealed that the structure was built with funds provided by the Government of British Columbia. They also noted that a recent $150,000 grant from the provincial government was used to install an elevator in the facility, adding to the controversy over public funding for a politically charged site.
CSIS Flags Ongoing Extremist Activity
Concerns intensified following recent disclosures from Canada’s top intelligence agency. In June, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) publicly acknowledged for the first time that Khalistani extremists continue to use Canadian soil for promoting, fundraising, and planning acts of violence, largely targeting India. CSIS’s latest report underscored that Canada remains a base for such activities, sparking debates over the country’s approach to foreign-influenced extremism.
Decades-Long Tensions with India
India has consistently raised alarms over the activities of Khalistani extremists in Canada, dating back to the mid-1980s. The threat, classified under politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE), involves attempts to create an independent Khalistan in Punjab through violent means. PMVE actors often plan, finance, and facilitate attacks globally to advance their political objectives, making it a persistent security challenge for both nations.
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