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.

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,

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.