In the complex web of global geopolitics, diaspora communities have emerged as both a soft power asset and a potential battleground for competing national interests. One of the most concerning developments in recent years is the apparent exploitation of the Khalistani movement by China to influence Canada’s diaspora politics. This maneuver serves not only to destabilize Canadian politics but also to further Beijing’s strategic aims against India—a country it views as a formidable rival in Asia and beyond.
The Khalistani movement, rooted in demands for a separate Sikh state in India, has largely lost its momentum within India itself. However, it continues to find resonance in the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, where a small but vocal minority has kept the cause alive. Historically, the movement has been marred by violent incidents, including the 1985 Air India bombing, the deadliest act of terrorism in Canadian history. Despite this, the movement has recently gained a veneer of legitimacy in certain circles of Canadian politics, where it has been cloaked in the language of human rights and freedom of expression.
China’s calculated involvement in this issue adds a dangerous new dimension. Beijing has demonstrated a willingness to exploit fissures in democratic societies to serve its own geopolitical objectives. In Canada, this appears to involve leveraging pro-Khalistani elements to drive a wedge between India and its diaspora, while simultaneously creating friction within Canada’s multicultural framework.
A Calculated Strategy
China’s interests in the Khalistan issue are multi-faceted. First, by amplifying the Khalistani cause abroad, Beijing seeks to undermine India’s global image and its ties with key allies like Canada. This strategy aligns with China’s broader approach of using diaspora communities as tools for influence, as evidenced by its activities in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Second, China’s support for pro-Khalistani voices serves as a retaliatory measure against India’s own assertive foreign policy. As India strengthens its alliances with the United States, Japan, and Australia through initiatives like the Quad, Beijing finds itself increasingly isolated in the Indo-Pacific. Exploiting diaspora politics in countries like Canada allows China to strike indirectly at India without risking direct confrontation.
Third, this tactic is part of China’s larger goal of destabilizing democratic systems. By fostering polarization within multicultural societies, Beijing weakens the internal cohesion of democracies and distracts them from addressing larger geopolitical challenges posed by China itself.
Canada’s Vulnerabilities
Canada’s multiculturalism, often celebrated as a model for the world, also makes it susceptible to external manipulation. With over 770,000 Sikhs forming a significant and influential community in Canada, diaspora politics plays a central role in the country’s political landscape. The challenge lies in differentiating between legitimate advocacy for Sikh rights and the promotion of a separatist agenda with external backing.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has faced criticism for what some perceive as a lenient stance on Khalistani extremism. This perception was reinforced by the publicized fallout between Canada and India earlier this year, triggered by Trudeau’s accusations against New Delhi over the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani activist. While Canada’s allegations remain unproven, the diplomatic standoff has further strained ties between the two nations, providing an opening for China to exploit.
The Role of Khalistani Extremists
Pro-Khalistani groups have found a fertile ground in Canada to operate under the guise of human rights activism. Their rhetoric, however, often crosses into hate speech and incitement, targeting not only the Indian state but also moderate Sikhs who oppose their agenda. These groups have increasingly leveraged social media platforms to spread propaganda, often with the tacit or overt support of external actors like China.
Reports suggest that Chinese intelligence agencies have facilitated the dissemination of pro-Khalistani content through online platforms, lending financial and logistical support to these groups. This nexus between Khalistani extremists and Chinese operatives is emblematic of a new form of hybrid warfare, where state and non-state actors collaborate to destabilize target nations.
India’s Response
For India, the stakes are high. The Khalistani movement, though largely dormant within its borders, represents a painful chapter in its history. Allowing it to gain traction abroad not only tarnishes India’s reputation but also risks reviving divisive narratives within its own borders.
New Delhi has taken a firm stance on this issue, urging Canada to crack down on extremist elements operating within its jurisdiction. However, the diplomatic deadlock over Trudeau’s accusations against India has complicated efforts to address this challenge collaboratively. India must also enhance its own outreach to the Sikh diaspora, emphasizing the progress made in Punjab and countering separatist narratives with facts and positive stories.
What Canada Must Do
For Canada, the Khalistan issue is not just a matter of foreign policy but also of domestic security and social cohesion. Ottawa must recognize that allowing extremist elements to operate unchecked not only damages its relations with India but also undermines its own multicultural fabric.
To address this, Canada needs to adopt a two-pronged approach. First, it must strengthen its legal and regulatory framework to prevent foreign interference in its diaspora politics. This includes greater scrutiny of funding sources for pro-Khalistani organizations and enhanced monitoring of social media platforms to counter disinformation campaigns.
Second, Canada must engage more constructively with India, setting aside the current diplomatic standoff to address shared concerns. As two democracies, both nations have much to gain from a cooperative approach to countering extremism and foreign interference.
The Bigger Picture
The intersection of Khalistani extremism and Chinese interference is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities democracies face in an increasingly interconnected world. It underscores the need for countries like Canada to remain vigilant against external attempts to exploit their open societies.
For India, the challenge lies in balancing a firm response to extremism with a nuanced engagement with its diaspora. For Canada, the challenge is to uphold its values of multiculturalism and freedom while ensuring that these principles are not abused by forces seeking to sow discord.
The Khalistan issue is more than just a bilateral irritant between India and Canada. It is a case study in how external powers like China are weaponizing identity politics to destabilize democracies. Addressing this challenge requires not just national resolve but also international collaboration, for the stakes are nothing less than the integrity of democratic systems themselves.
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