India considers the Khalistani movement a grave threat to its sovereignty and is worried about the militancy of the 1980s reviving. New Delhi is also frustrated that Ottawa refuses to act against pro-Khalistani groups operating out of its soil.

The "Khalistan" campaign dates back to India's 1947 independence, and has been blamed for the assassination of a prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet. It has been a bitter issue between India and several Western nations with large Sikh populations.

Canadian security expert Joe Adam George highlights Western nations' disregard for India's concerns over the Khalistan movement, labeling it as a non-threat. The diplomatic tensions escalated with Canada naming Indian diplomats as 'persons of interest,