India considers the Khalistani movement a grave threat to its sovereignty and is worried about the militancy of the 1980s reviving. New Delhi is also frustrated that Ottawa refuses to act against pro-Khalistani groups operating out of its soil.

Justin Trudeau stated that while there are many individuals in Canada who hold different views, this does not define Canadian policy, nor does it render those views illegal in Canada.

This is not the first time that India and Canada have locked horns over an issue connected to the Khalistan movement in Canada. The tussle goes back to 1982 when then PM Indira Gandhi spoke her mind on the subject to Trudeau’s father,