India's Envoy in Canada: 'Zero Problem' With Peaceful Khalistan Advocacyਕੈਨੇਡਾ 'ਚ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਹਾਈ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਰ: ਖ਼ਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਂਤਮਈ ਵਕਾਲਤ 'ਤੇ 'ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਇਤਰਾਜ਼ ਨਹੀਂ'

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh K Patnaik, has said New Delhi has "absolutely zero problem" with peaceful advocacy for Khalistan in Canada, as long as it stays free of violence and organised crime. Speaking on Sunday, October 11, 2026, he said Canadians, Sikhs and Indians all have the right to peacefully argue for "whatever they believe in", including a separate homeland. His remarks come a week before a planned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) "referendum" in Edmonton.

What exactly did Dinesh Patnaik say?

Asked about a commission's observation that India does not appear to separate lawful pro-Khalistan politics from violent extremists, Patnaik answered: "Of course! 100 per cent. In fact, I've been telling from day one that Canadians, Sikhs, Indians all of them have the right to peacefully advocate for whatever they believe in." He added that political parties in India have argued for a separate homeland for about 40 years, "so it's nothing new", and that India has not cracked down on peaceful political protest.

Where does he draw the line?

Patnaik said peaceful advocacy must not be mixed with crime. "Don't bring the negativity, the filth, the terrorist element, the gun-running, the drug smuggling, the organised crime, extortion into the picture," he said. He also objected to protests that display images of the killing of India's Prime Minister, saying such displays should have no place in Khalistan-related demonstrations.

Why does it matter now?

The comments follow India's Ministry of External Affairs statement on Friday. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, asked about the SFJ plan to hold a so-called Khalistan referendum in Edmonton on October 18, said India "strongly condemn[s] all anti-India activities". Alberta votes the next day, October 19, on a separate question about its place in Canada, and SFJ has drawn a parallel between the two events.

How are India-Canada ties at the moment?

After a long diplomatic freeze over the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia, the two countries have normalised relations and are discussing a trade deal. They recently held another round of security dialogue, agreeing to deepen cooperation against organised crime, terrorism and extremism. Canadian ministers Anita Anand and Maninder Sidhu are due to visit India with a trade mission.

Has India asked Canada to stop the referendum?

The MEA, which did not name any country or group in its Friday reply, did not say whether it has raised the Edmonton plan with Ottawa. In November 2022 India urged Canada to prevent a similar SFJ event, and SFJ is a banned organisation in India. Patnaik's comment concerns peaceful political advocacy, not the legality of any specific event.

Did India's stance on Khalistan advocacy change?

Not officially. India has long objected to Khalistan-linked violence and extremism abroad. Patnaik's statement draws the line between peaceful political expression and criminal or violent activity, which he said India has said "from day one".