'Can't Blame India': Envoy Patnaik Says Canadians Behind Khalistan Problem In Canada

Last Updated:October 20, 2025, 18:15 IST

India's new envoy stressed it is Canadians who are “creating this problem,” and the country must treat it as its own law-and-order challenge

India's new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh K. Patnaik. (File photo: X)

India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has said the Khalistan-related threat in Canada is not India’s responsibility, but a domestic issue for Ottawa to handle.

Speaking to CTV’s Question Period, Patnaik stressed that it is Canadians who are “creating this problem," and the country must treat it as its own law-and-order challenge.

“Canada cannot look at this situation as an Indian problem. It’s a Canadian problem. There are Canadians who are creating this problem," Patnaik said during the interview aired on Sunday. He was referring to the activities of pro-Khalistan extremist groups in Canada, which India has repeatedly raised concerns about.

The envoy also expressed concern about the personal security situation, revealing that he has been placed under protection due to threats from extremists. “I find it strange that a high commissioner here has to be under protection. I’m under protection. I should not be under protection in a country like this," he said.

Patnaik added that India and Canada are currently engaging in wider talks around security cooperation, which include the safety of Canadians in India and the operations of criminal groups like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which is active in both countries.

“Security agencies are talking to each other, there’s dialogue between the RCMP and the NIA, and both our NSAs have met. The process of rebuilding the relationship is underway," he said.

During the interview, Patnaik also praised Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney for playing a “very big role" in normalising bilateral ties. He said that while the improvement in relations was inevitable, Carney’s leadership helped speed up the process.

“We might have been here a little earlier or later. You can’t keep two large countries apart for long," he said. “Donald Trump played a role, but I think it’s your new Prime Minister Mark Carney who played a very big role in getting things back to normal."

At the same time, Patnaik rejected former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s earlier claims that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He called the allegations “preposterous and absurd," and said there was no substantial evidence provided.

“What we needed was dialogue to be able to talk to each other, not make allegations in the press without proof," Patnaik said. “No relationship can be destroyed by a single man; it takes an entire ecosystem to do that. India and Canada share democracy, freedom of the press, and rule of law , far too much in common to let that go."

Relations between India and Canada had sharply deteriorated over the Nijjar issue, with both countries expelling diplomats and freezing trade talks. However, ties began to improve after Carney invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 summit. Ministerial meetings have since resumed, and both countries recently issued a joint statement supporting greater cooperation.

When asked if India now sees Canada as a reliable partner, Patnaik replied, “Not yet." He said trust is being rebuilt, but warned that “extraneous factors should not interfere with economic activities."

(With inputs from agencies)

News world 'Can't Blame India': Envoy Patnaik Says Canadians Behind Khalistan Problem In Canada

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