On August 5, 2025, a sign declaring the “Embassy of the Republic of Khalistan” appeared at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, a site once led by Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist killed in 2023. This isn’t just a symbolic swipe at India’s sovereignty—it’s a warning flare for Canada, where Khalistani extremism, tied to drug gangs from Punjab and fueled by inter-gang warfare, threatens to spiral into chaos. The “embassy,” linked to the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its planned “Khalistan referendum,” risks igniting radicalization, lawlessness, and organized crime on Canadian soil. The 1985 Kanishka bombing, a grim chapter of Khalistani violence in Canada, looms as a reminder of what’s at stake. While Punjab must stay vigilant due to deep diaspora ties, Canada faces the immediate crisis and must act to prevent a deadly repeat.
Canada’s history with Khalistani violence is a wound that never fully healed. On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, known as the Kanishka, was bombed by Khalistani extremists operating from Canadian soil, killing 329 people, mostly Canadians. It remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history. That same year, a related plot to bomb another Air India flight was foiled at Montreal’s airport, and in 1986, a Vancouver explosives conspiracy tied to Khalistani groups was uncovered. These incidents exposed Canada’s vulnerability to extremist networks hiding within its borders. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) still warns of Khalistani elements promoting violence and anti-India propaganda, yet the “embassy” stands as proof that warnings alone don’t suffice.
The “embassy” is a spark for radicalisation. By glorifying figures like Nijjar and rallying behind SFJ’s separatist agenda, it could draw vulnerable youth into extremist ideologies, cloaking violence as activism. This isn’t a distant risk—Canada’s past shows how quickly radical ideas can turn deadly. Radicalization fuels a broader crisis: lawlessness driven by gangs with roots in Punjab. British Columbia’s Indo-Canadian communities are plagued by inter-gang warfare, with groups like the Brothers Keepers and United Nations gangs, often involving Punjab-origin members, battling for control of drug trafficking. These gangs, some with alleged Khalistani ties, exploit political causes to mask their crimes, and the “embassy” could amplify their influence, offering a symbolic base to rally around.
Drugs are the lifeblood of this chaos. Punjab’s drug crisis, driven by heroin and synthetic drugs smuggled across borders, has diaspora connections that reach Canada. Criminal networks from Punjab, linked to Canada’s Indo-Canadian gangs, funnel drug profits into organized crime, sometimes under the guise of Khalistani separatism. Inter-gang warfare in cities like Surrey and Vancouver—marked by shootings and turf battles—exacerbates the violence. The “embassy” risks becoming a focal point, legitimizing these networks and intensifying Canada’s struggle with drug-fueled crime. As one X user starkly noted, “The monkey on India’s back is now riding on Canada,” capturing the shift of this burden to Canadian soil.
Extortion ties it all together. Sikh communities in Canada have long faced extortion calls demanding money or allegiance, often linked to gangsters claiming Khalistani causes. The “embassy” could embolden these schemes, turning a religious site into a hub for intimidation. This cycle—radicalization, drug gangs, inter-gang warfare, and extortion—threatens Canada’s security and multicultural fabric. If unchecked, it could fracture communities and overwhelm law enforcement already stretched thin by rising crime.
India has its concerns, but they’re secondary. Punjab, scarred by past militancy, risks ripple effects from diaspora-driven separatism. X posts from Indian citizens reflect this fear: “Canada’s inaction could spark trouble in Punjab,” and “This ‘embassy’ mocks our sovereignty.” Yet, the immediate danger is Canada’s, where these threats unfold in real time. Punjab must stay cautious, but Canada is ground zero.
Canada’s pluralism is a strength, but it’s being exploited. The “embassy” could inspire other divisive movements, eroding social cohesion. The Kanishka bombing and foiled plots of the 1980s demand that Canada act. Dismantling this “embassy” and cracking down on its networks isn’t just about India—it’s about saving Canada from its own crisis. Complacency invites disaster; Canada must confront this threat now.