AI Generated Summary
- In a recent interview, Sahani said that the situation is making Canada resemble “a Pakistan of the West” in the eyes of global observers — a nation increasingly viewed as a potential exporter of extremism.
- He traced the evolution of the Khalistan movement from the 1980s to the present day, highlighting a shift from first-generation migrants with lived experience of Punjab to a new crop of activists born and raised in the West.
- “The Khalistani networks in Canada now have deep roots in every order of the state — from politics to public institutions,” Sahani claimed, warning that these ties may prevent any substantial thaw in India-Canada relations in the near future.
A prominent New York-based Sikh analyst is sounding the alarm over what he describes as the growing threat of Khalistani extremism within Canadian borders — and its broader implications for international relations.
Puneet Sahani, an expert on Khalistani terrorism, believes that Canada’s failure to confront the radical networks operating on its soil is severely undermining the country’s global image. In a recent interview, Sahani said that the situation is making Canada resemble “a Pakistan of the West” in the eyes of global observers — a nation increasingly viewed as a potential exporter of extremism.
The warning comes amid fresh tensions triggered by the harassment of Canadian journalist Mocha Bezirgan in Vancouver — an incident that Sahani cites as part of a disturbing trend of violence and intimidation tied to Khalistani activism. “These are not isolated events,” he said. “They reflect a pattern of radicalism that is steadily embedding itself in the Canadian landscape.”
Sahani urged the Canadian government to treat Khalistani extremism with the same gravity it applies to other global threats, stressing that failure to act could further isolate the country diplomatically.
He also directed criticism toward India’s own strategy, accusing the Modi government of taking a “soft approach” toward overseas Sikh radicalism. According to Sahani, it’s time for New Delhi to adopt a firmer stance by outlawing Khalistan-linked organizations abroad and pushing for international travel bans on their leadership.
“The Khalistani networks in Canada now have deep roots in every order of the state — from politics to public institutions,” Sahani claimed, warning that these ties may prevent any substantial thaw in India-Canada relations in the near future.
He traced the evolution of the Khalistan movement from the 1980s to the present day, highlighting a shift from first-generation migrants with lived experience of Punjab to a new crop of activists born and raised in the West. This younger cohort, Sahani argues, is “even more radicalized,” despite lacking any personal connection to the region.
“These organisations are indoctrinating youth who have never lived in India, filling them with hatred for Bharat and Hindus,” he explained. “It’s essentially an imported conflict, now playing out on Canadian soil.”
Pointing to the public commemoration of Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a known Khalistani separatist killed in 2023 — Sahani noted that such gestures are not fringe behavior but evidence of deeper political inroads. “There was a minute of silence held for Nijjar in Canada’s Parliament,” he said. “That’s not just symbolic — it suggests that sympathisers now have real sway over Canadian political decision-making.”
While Sahani acknowledged that the majority of Canadian Sikhs oppose violence and extremism, he warned that continued appeasement or inaction could have lasting consequences. “If the government continues to let these groups exert pressure, Canada risks diplomatic isolation — especially from partners like India,” he said.
As the G7 Summit approaches, the growing influence of radical Khalistani voices in Canada threatens to cast a long shadow over bilateral discussions. Whether the issue will be directly addressed during the visit remains uncertain — but for Sahani and others watching closely, the stakes have rarely been higher.
