Pro-Khalistan groups in nations ranging from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia pose a growing threat to Indian missions, and diplomatic reprimand may not be adequate. Redlisting the organizations and demanding their closure in countries where they have taken asylum must be pursued aggressively. These organizations have carried out violent attacks on Indian embassies and consulates, taking advantage of a lack of preparation and inadequate security, with the protests being seen as an expression of discontent by a segment of the Sikh community in these nations. The possibility of these groups resorting to violence was not considered, resulting in random attacks by pro-Khalistan groups who have now organized to protest actions being taken against a vigilante group Waris Punjab De, which has been taken over by a pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh who is operating above the law of the land.
Protests by Khalistan sympathizers in London and San Francisco were organized in response to the crackdown by Punjab law enforcement on pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and his allies. Acts of violence and vandalism marred both. In truth, the national flag at the Indian High Commission in London was taken down during a demonstration by pro-Khalistan activists, as evidenced by protestors clambering onto a balcony and yanking the Indian flag off a pole in front of the high commission, to the delight of the others. There is no rational basis for rallies to support Amritpal Singh, a fugitive from justice, and then pulling down India’s National Flag at Indian diplomatic establishments across the world, as well as causing cancellations of disallowing functions by Indian ambassadors due to insecurity. India has been emphasizing the provision of proper protection in accordance with diplomatic standards, and as a result, the chiefs of the US and UK missions in Delhi have been summoned in recent days.
India expressed strong concern over the vandalism of the property of the Consulate General of India in San Francisco on March 20, at a meeting with the US Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi. The US Government was reminded of its fundamental commitment to safeguard and secure diplomatic representation and was requested to take adequate measures to avoid such occurrences from occurring in the future. “Our Embassy in Washington D.C. also conveyed our concerns to the US State Department along similar lines,” according to a press statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
This was the second day in a row that India lodged a strong protest with a foreign mission in a country, as New Delhi summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi to convey India’s strong protest at separatist and extremist elements’ actions against the Indian High Commission in London on March 19. The Ministry of External Affairs stated in a news statement that an explanation was sought for the entire absence of British security, which allowed these individuals to infiltrate the High Commission facilities. After many images on social media showed a Sikh man taking down the flag outside the Indian mission in London, British deputy high commissioner Christina Scott was called to the foreign affairs ministry. In a tweet, UK High Commissioner Alex Ellis, who is now in New Delhi, condemned the event at the Indian mission (per The Hindustan Times). This comes as there is speculation that recent anti-India riots in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States were orchestrated by an external agency presumed to be Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).
Is there a solution beyond diplomacy? while diplomacy is one tool to tackle the rising trend, there is a need to address the pro Khalistan groups who are active in Western countries and Australia behind these incidents in a proactive manner by countering their narrative in the media as well as the seeming clout that they enjoy with the liberal governments in place. There are nine groups in six nations who are behind the protests. These include Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) based in Surrey, South East London, while Gurjeet Singh Cheema of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is based in Canada and Gurmeet Singh aka Bagga and Bhupinder Singh Bhind of KZF are based in Germany. Another key ally, leader Gursharanvir Singh, is based in the UK, Gurjinder Singh is another in the group. The three groups traced to Pakistan are Ranjeet Singh Neeta’s Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Wadhawa Singh Babbar’s Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Paramjit Singh Panjwar’s Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) (The Economic Times). Gursharanvir Singh, another major ally, is headquartered in the United Kingdom, as is Gurjinder Singh. Ranjeet Singh Neeta’s Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Wadhawa Singh Babbar’s Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and Paramjit Singh Panjwar’s Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) are the three factions linked to Pakistan.
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Placing these groups and their leaders on the Interpol red list requires sanctions against the groups and their support networks. Unless action is taken beyond diplomacy, these groups would continue to cause havoc and seek to portray that the Khalistan movement has widespread support in Punjab, while in fact it is largely marginal. Even several religious political organizations that have spoken out against Amritpal Singh’s detention have abandoned their support for separatism. However, the fringe in India appears to have become the majority in nations that consider violence against foreign missions as an expression of discontent.
Diplomatic responses alone may prove insufficient, in light of the escalating threats posed by pro-Khalistan groups across global capitals. Recent violent incidents targeting Indian diplomatic missions in Western nations highlight the need for a more robust approach, including more than diplomatic reprimands. Recent diplomatic summons of senior officials from the US and UK missions in Delhi underscore India’s emphasis on proper protection in line with diplomatic standards. Beyond diplomatic channels, tackling the root of the issue involves countering the narrative and perceived influence of pro-Khalistan groups, both in the media and their relationships with liberal governments. Addressing this challenge comprehensively is essential to prevent further havoc orchestrated by these groups and to dispel the notion of widespread support for the Khalistan movement in Punjab. Interventions at various levels are crucial to reverse the concerning trend of violence against foreign missions and safeguard diplomatic relations.
