Stop Khalistan referendum: India to Canada

India has served a demarche to Canada last week asking it to stop the so-called Khalistan referendum organised by an outlawed organisation in Ontario on November 6. The demarche was served last week by the MEA to the Canadian High Commission. The Indian High Commission, in near future, will also move the Canadian foreign ministry on the issue, sources indicated.

The Canadian government last month stated that it respects India's territorial integrity and sovereignty but on September 18, Sikh For Justice or SFJ organised a referendum in Brampton, Ontario. SFJ remains a thorn in Indo-Canadian ties and, in the recent past, ties have been hit by travel advisories. Visa delays from the Canadian side have also cast a shadow on people to people ties, notwithstanding efforts to clinch a trade deal.