New Delhi: Amid the growing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, New Delhi has named Sandeep Singh Sidhu, an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), for his alleged involvement in promoting terrorist activities. India has demanded Sidhu’s deportation, accusing him of direct links to terrorism. This development comes at a time when relations between the two nations are already strained over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The diplomatic fallout, which began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused India of attacking Sikh separatists in Canada, has now intensified with these new revelations. Trudeau claimed that Indian diplomats were involved in sharing intelligence with criminal groups in India, leading to violence against pro-Khalistan activists in Canada. Dismissing Ottawa’s accusations, India on Monday expelled six Canadian diplomats and announced it was recalling its High Commissioner to Canada.
Who Sandeep Singh Sidhu?
Sandeep Singh Sidhu, also known as Sunny, is an employee of the CBSA and is reportedly affiliated with the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a group linked to Khalistani extremism. Sidhu’s name was added to the list of fugitives wanted by India due to his alleged role in the murder of Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a prominent figure in Punjab Khalistani resistance against militants.
Sidhu reportedly worked closely with Pakistan Khalistan-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode and other ISI operatives to carry out the targeted killing of Sandhu in October 2020. Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, was a staunch opponent of the Khalistan movement and became a symbol of resistance against separatism in Punjab during the violent militancy in the region. Sandhu was known for his outspoken opposition to the Khalistan referendums held in Canada and the United States by pro-Khalistan groups such as Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
Despite his alleged involvement in the murder, Sandeep Singh Sidhu was recently promoted to the rank of CBSA superintendent. This promotion has sparked concern within the Indian government, which has now put pressure on Canada for his immediate deportation. Indian officials have presented evidence to the Trudeau government, highlighting Sidhu’s terrorist ties and his association with pro-Khalistan elements both in Canada and abroad.
In a detailed report, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named Sandeep Singh Sidhu along with Lakhbir Singh Rode as masterminds of Sandhu’s murder. The report also suggests that Sidhu could be using the alias “Sunny Toronto” and had coordinated with gangster Sukhmeetpal Singh, alias Sukh Bhikhariwal, to carry out the murder.
Sidhu is not the only individual under scrutiny amid rising diplomatic tensions. The RCMP recently named Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with other diplomats, as persons of interest in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The RCMP further alleged that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, active in Canada, has ties to Indian government agents and may have been involved in attacking Sikh separatist activists.
Terrorist links and international complications
Sandeep Singh Sidhu’s alleged role in orchestrating acts of violence extends beyond the 2020 assassination. According to Indian intelligence, Sidhu has been actively collaborating with pro-Khalistan terrorists, including US-based Gurjot Kaur, who is linked to Pakistan Interservice Intelligence (ISI). Gurjot Kaur, a radicalized agent and widow of slain Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Harmeet Singh, is said to be coordinating with ISI officers to promote the Khalistan agenda.
Sidhu’s position within the CBSA, a Canadian government agency, has further complicated diplomatic efforts between India and Canada. India has expressed concern that Sidhu’s access to sensitive information and government authority could pose a significant security threat. Despite these concerns, Canada has yet to publicly respond to India’s deportation request.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, the issue of pro-Khalistan activities in Canada has become a central point of contention between the two nations. While Canada has emphasized the need to protect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful defence, India has consistently expressed frustration over what it sees as a lack of action against extremist elements operating on Canadian soil.
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