World · South & Central Asia · 3 hrs ago
India envoy says peaceful Khalistan advocacy in Canada is acceptable
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, said people in Canada may peacefully advocate for Khalistan, a proposed separate homeland.
He said India has no political objection to peaceful protests, including those supporting separation.
Patnaik urged Canada to keep such activity free of what he described as terrorism, organised crime, gun-running and extortion.
His comments came before a Khalistan referendum scheduled for Alberta later this month.
India and Canada have recently normalised relations after a long diplomatic dispute over the 2023 killing of a Khalistani separatist in British Columbia.
The two countries are discussing a possible major trade deal and have agreed to deepen security cooperation against organised crime, terrorism and extremism.
The sources do not say whether the referendum or the talks will lead to any further action.
Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik said peaceful advocacy for Khalistan in Canada is acceptable.
He said India has no political problem with people advocating for a separate homeland.
Patnaik urged that protests not involve terrorism, organised crime, extortion or images celebrating the killing of an Indian prime minister.
His remarks came ahead of a Khalistan referendum scheduled for Alberta later in October.
India and Canada have normalised relations and are discussing a potential trade deal.
- Who
- Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik.
- What
- He said peaceful advocacy and protests for Khalistan are acceptable.
- When
- October 11, 2026; the remarks came ahead of a referendum scheduled later that month.
- Where
- Canada, with the referendum scheduled for Alberta.
- Why
- Patnaik said advocacy is acceptable if peaceful, and urged that it not involve criminal or terrorist elements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indians, Canadians, Sikhs can peacefully advocate for what they believe in, even if it is Khalistan or a separate homeland. Politically, we have zero problem.
What we say... don't bring in negativity, filth, terrorist element, gun-running, organised crime and extortion into it.
A Khalistani separatist was killed in British Columbia, after which India and Canada experienced a prolonged period of diplomatic strife.
Patnaik made his remarks ahead of a Khalistan referendum scheduled for Alberta later that month.
India and Canada held another round of security dialogue and agreed to deepen coordination against organised crime, terrorism and extremism.
- Indian high commissioner
- Dinesh Patnaik
- Referendum location
- Alberta
- Referendum timing
- Later in October 2026
- Trade discussions
- India and Canada are discussing a potentially landmark trade deal
- Security dialogue
- The countries agreed to deepen coordination against organised crime, terrorism and extremism
Sources
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