Khalistan Embassy in Canada: A Diplomatic Slap on India’s Face

The recent opening of a so-called Embassy of Khalistan in Surrey, Canada, has once again exposed the deep cracks in India’s political, social, and diplomatic structure. This symbolic step, taken by the pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in collaboration with the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Temple, has shaken New Delhi’s confidence and embarrassed it in the eyes of the world.

For India, this is not just a minor protest activity, it is a loud reminder of the anger and alienation that still exists among a large section of the Sikh diaspora, and the growing failure of the Indian state to address it. Even worse, it comes at a time when India’s relations with Canada are already at their lowest point, and its international image is under serious strain.

The Shocking Development in Surrey

In late July, a large board appeared outside a gurdwara building in Surrey, British Columbia, with the bold words: “Embassy of Khalistan – Republic of Khalistan”. This building, located on the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was recently renovated using funds provided by the Government of British Columbia itself. Infact, the provincial government even gave $150,000 to install an elevator in the same building.

This is not some hidden, underground activity. It is openly visible, right in the heart of a Canadian city. The SFJ has made no secret of its intentions, they call it a symbolic embassy to represent the dream of an independent Sikh homeland. And it is happening in a country where India claims to have strong diplomatic ties.

CSIS Warning Ignored by India

Adding to the embarrassment for New Delhi, Canada’s own intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), had already admitted in its June report that Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for promoting, fundraising, and planning acts of violence primarily targeting India.

This was the first time CSIS publicly acknowledged this reality in an official document. The report left no doubt that these networks are active, organized, and motivated. Yet, despite this open warning, India’s approach to dealing with such movements abroad has been weak and reactionary. Instead of addressing the root causes of the discontent, India continues to depend on aggressive statements, diplomatic protests, and the silencing of dissent at home, methods that only worsen the situation.

Why This Hurts India’s Global Image

The opening of a Khalistan Embassy is a symbolic but powerful political message. It tells the world that there is a large, vocal group of Sikhs who see India as an oppressor, not a homeland. It also shows that India cannot stop such acts even in countries it claims to have influence over.

India often promotes itself as the world’s largest democracy and a champion of diversity. But incidents like this prove that its democracy is deeply flawed and that its treatment of minorities has left deep wounds. For many Sikhs, the memory of Operation Blue Star (1984), the Delhi anti-Sikh riots, and decades of police brutality in Punjab have not faded. India has failed to deliver justice for these atrocities, and this failure fuels the Khalistan sentiment both inside and outside the country.

When such grievances are left unresolved, they travel across oceans with the diaspora. In Canada, the UK, Australia, and the US, Sikh communities have the freedom to speak openly, something that is increasingly difficult inside India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

India’s Habit of Blaming Others

Whenever the Khalistan issue surfaces abroad, India’s first reaction is to blame foreign governments for not doing enough. It accuses countries like Canada of harboring terrorists and anti-India forces. But this blame game hides a bigger truth: the real problem started in India itself.

If New Delhi had handled the Sikh community with justice, equality, and respect, the Khalistan movement might never have gained so much international sympathy. Instead, decades of mistrust, heavy-handed security operations, and political marginalization have created an environment where the idea of Khalistan continues to survive.

By constantly pointing fingers at others, India avoids looking in the mirror. It ignores its own human rights abuses and the role of its own political class in keeping tensions alive for electoral gains.

Canada’s Calm vs. India’s Anger

The Canadian government has so far responded cautiously, describing the “embassy” as a matter of free speech, as long as no violence is involved. In a democratic society like Canada, communities are allowed to express political opinions, even if those opinions are against another country. This is part of the democratic freedom India itself claims to value.

But India’s reaction has been furious. The Indian government lodged strong protests and accused Canada of encouraging separatism. This overreaction only draws more attention to the Khalistan cause and makes India look insecure and intolerant.

Diplomatic Failure of the Modi Government

The Modi government has repeatedly claimed to be building a strong India with rising global influence. But the truth is, India’s diplomatic clout is far weaker than it pretends. If India really had a strong influence over Canada, such a symbolic embassy would never have been allowed on Canadian soil.

Instead, New Delhi’s relations with Ottawa have been deteriorating for years, especially after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan supporter, in British Columbia in 2023. That accusation shocked the world and painted India as a country willing to carry out targeted killings abroad, a reputation that damages it’s standing as a “responsible” nation.

Now, with the opening of the Embassy of Khalistan, it is clear that Canada is not bending to India’s pressure. Infact, it is protecting the right of its citizens to express political beliefs, even if those beliefs anger a foreign government.

The Historical Burden India Cannot Escape

The Khalistan movement is not something invented by foreign governments or outsiders. It is the direct result of India’s own history.

• Operation Blue Star (1984): The Indian Army stormed the Golden Temple, killing hundreds of Sikh pilgrims in the name of flushing out militants.
• Anti-Sikh Riots (1984): Following Indira Gandhi’s assassination, thousands of Sikhs were murdered in the streets, with Congress party leaders openly inciting mobs.
• Punjab Police Atrocities (1980s–1990s): Thousands of young Sikhs were detained, tortured, or disappeared without trial.

None of these crimes has seen real justice. The guilty walk free, many still in politics. This lack of accountability has convinced many Sikhs that the Indian state cannot be trusted to protect them.

India’s Shrinking Moral Ground

India likes to lecture the world about terrorism, separatism, and law and order. But when it comes to its own treatment of minorities, it has little moral ground to stand on.

From Kashmir to Punjab, from Manipur to Assam, India’s record is full of state violence, discrimination, and suppression of dissent.

In the case of Khalistan, India’s international narrative is weak because it refuses to admit the genuine grievances that led to the movement. Instead, it tries to label all Khalistan supporters as terrorists, which is a lazy and dishonest approach.

What This Means for the Future

The opening of the Khalistan Embassy in Canada is more than just a symbolic act. It signals:

• India’s failure to control the narrative abroad.
• Growing global awareness of Sikh grievances.
• A new low in India-Canada relations.

If India continues to react with anger instead of introspection, it will only make the Khalistan movement stronger. Diaspora activism will grow, and other countries may follow Canada’s example in tolerating such expressions.

Conclusion: A Self-Inflicted Wound

The Modi government and its predecessors have no one but themselves to blame for the current situation. The Khalistan movement, despite ups and downs, has survived for decades because India has failed to heal the wounds it created. The events in Surrey are just the latest proof that India’s claim of being a united, inclusive nation is more myth than reality.

Until India learns to respect its minorities, deliver justice for past crimes, and stop using nationalism as a political weapon, such humiliations will continue to happen on the global stage. The so-called Embassy of Khalistan in Canada is not just a challenge to India’s sovereignty; it is a mirror showing the ugly truth about its own failures.

The author anum malik, is affiliated with the State News Agency and contributes her research to the think tank, CDS.

*The views and opinions expressed herein, and any references, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS).