Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, faced obstruction from Khalistani extremists when attempting to visit a gurdwara in Scotland. The incident has taken place amidst escalating tensions between Canada and India, triggered by allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a purported video circulating on social media, a pro-Khalistan activist can be seen blocking Mr. Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive. Two individuals near the High Commissioner’s car in the parking area can be seen in the video, with one attempting to open the locked car door from the inside. Subsequently, the High Commissioner’s vehicle left the gurdwara premises.
The Indian High Commissioner had been invited by the gurdwara’s managing committee, and a longer version of the video also reveals Khalistani extremists issuing threats to the gurdwara’s staff.
At present, there has been no immediate reaction from the Indian government. Sources indicate that a police complaint has been filed due to the security implications for the High Commissioner.
The dispute initially flared when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that “Indian government agents” were implicated in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India swiftly rejected Trudeau’s claims as “absurd” and demanded evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Despite Trudeau providing no concrete evidence, reports suggest that this information had been shared within an intelligence alliance involving the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In response, India accused Canada of harboring terrorists on its soil.
Tensions between the two nations had been brewing since Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns to Trudeau regarding the rising secessionist activities in Canada during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Delhi. In 2018, India had reportedly presented a list of nine Khalistani operatives to the Canadian government.
News Summary:
- Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was obstructed by Khalistani extremists while attempting to visit a gurdwara in Scotland, as shown in a viral video.
- The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions between Canada and India, triggered by allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
- The Indian government has not yet responded officially, but sources indicate that a police complaint has been filed regarding the security of the High Commissioner.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of “Indian government agents” involvement in the killing were swiftly rejected by India, which demanded evidence.
- Reports suggest that the allegation was shared within an intelligence alliance involving the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, with India accusing Canada of providing safe haven to terrorists.
- Tensions between the two countries had been escalating since 2018 when India presented Canada with a list of nine Khalistani operatives during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Justin Trudeau.