OVER the past year or so, India’s reportedly malign activities in foreign countries have increasingly come under the radar, with the authorities in Canada and the US linking violent incidents on their soil to the Indian state. The latest in this series of developments has been the Canadian deputy foreign minister’s claim that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has played a central role in plots against Sikh activists in his country. The Canadian official had recently confirmed to a parliamentary panel that he had told The Washington Post about Mr Shah’s alleged involvement in the violent targeting of Sikh dissidents in Canada. India’s dubious activities had come to light after the murder last year of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist, who was killed outside a gurdwara in British Columbia. In the killing’s aftermath, ties between Canada and India have nosedived. Ottawa last month expelled several Indian diplomats for their alleged links to the Nijjar hit. India expelled a number of Canadian diplomats in response. It appears that New Delhi has been using underhanded tactics against perceived foes in the US as well. An ex-Indian intelligence operative has been charged by American authorities for his alleged role in the failed murder plot against a US-based Sikh activist. And Pakistan, which has long complained of India’s involvement in destabilising activities on its soil, has also said that New Delhi’s operatives were responsible for the murder of two men — reportedly linked to Kashmiri outfits — in separate cities.

While India has dismissed these allegations, the US and Canadian authorities would not have gone public with their charges unless they had solid proof. Moreover, the Canadian claim linking the Indian home minister to violent activities cannot be brushed aside easily. In fact, unless facts emerge otherwise, it points to a campaign of state-sponsored terrorism originating from New Delhi. Perhaps Western states will now understand Pakistan’s allegations regarding India’s malign interference in its affairs. Where the targeting of dissidents in Western states is concerned, India should realise these countries are unlikely to ignore such subterfuge on their soil. Moreover, if India wants better relations with Pakistan, it should cease its destabilising activities in this country. The BJP’s ‘muscular’ policy of targeting dissidents on foreign soil has clearly backfired, and the Indian state needs to abandon such subversive behaviour.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2024