Canadian Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh, known for his past alliance with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and support of Khalistani causes, faced mockery from journalists during a press conference where he advocated for sanctions on Indian diplomats. This comes amid escalating tensions between Canada and India, following accusations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

During the press conference, Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), demanded severe sanctions on Indian diplomats, citing concerns from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Indian agents were allegedly working with criminal gangs to target pro-Khalistan figures in Canada. He called for unified action among Canadian leaders to hold the Modi government accountable, urging them to prioritize the safety of Canadians.

"We need to bring severe sanctions on Indian diplomats," Singh said. "We got the RCMP saying that Indian diplomats are hiring criminal elements to shoot at Canadians. Why would we do anything other than put in place severe sanctions?"

As Singh walked out of the press conference, journalists openly mocked his remarks, with one reporter saying, "That's not how it works," evoking laughter from the room.

The press conference followed statements from the RCMP alleging that Indian agents were collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to target pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. Singh has been a vocal supporter of Khalistani separatism and has participated in rallies advocating for a separate Sikh state.

Singh had previously supported Trudeau's government for over two years before withdrawing his support, citing unfulfilled promises by the Prime Minister. His involvement in the current diplomatic row aligns with his long-standing opposition to Indian policies and his support for pro-Khalistan movements.

Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly hinted that the government could impose sanctions on Indian diplomats, stating that "everything was on the table" as diplomatic tensions between the two countries continued to escalate.

The India-Canada dispute intensified on Monday when India dismissed claims that its diplomats were "persons of interest" in the investigation of Nijjar's murder, calling the accusations "preposterous." Both countries recalled diplomats in a tit-for-tat move as New Delhi criticized Ottawa for failing to provide evidence of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing and for not curbing separatist activities on Canadian soil.

Tensions between the two nations reached a peak in September 2023, when Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in Nijjar's death, a claim India has repeatedly denied. Nijjar, a wanted leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

In a statement, Singh expressed concerns for the safety of Canadian Sikhs, accusing Indian diplomats of harassment and threats. He called for Canada to expel Indian diplomats and impose sanctions on India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) network.

"Canadian Sikhs have been stalked by fear, threats, harassment, and violence—including extortion, violence, and electoral interference—all allegedly at the hands of Indian officials," Singh claimed. He also stated that at least 13 individuals had received warnings from the RCMP regarding serious threats to their safety since September 2023.

As tensions rise, the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada shows no signs of de-escalation, with both countries standing firm in their positions. Singh’s call for sanctions and the subsequent ridicule highlights the ongoing complexities in the Canada-India relationship.