Ottawa: A crescendo of anti-India sentiment has swept across parts of Canada, as Khalistan separatist groups orchestrate vehement protests targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mere days before his anticipated arrival for the G7 Summit in Alberta. The demonstrations, characterized by vociferous anti-India slogans and confrontational displays, underscore the persistent diplomatic friction between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Reports indicate a significant car rally organized by pro-Khalistan elements, where effigies of Prime Minister Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, were depicted in mock cages and paraded through urban centers like Toronto. Chants demanding the deportation of Hindu community members back to India further amplified the divisive nature of these protests.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, addressing the provocative displays, dismissed the protesters as "kiraye ke tattu" (protestors for hire), suggesting external funding influences their activities. He asserted that such elements, when deprived of financial backing, have historically shifted their allegiances.

This resurgence of visible Khalistani activism comes amidst delicate efforts to mend India-Canada ties, strained since former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2023 allegations of a potential Indian link in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's invitation to Modi for the G7 hinted at a desire for rapprochement, the intensity of these recent protests casts a long shadow.

As Prime Minister Modi embarks on his sixth consecutive G7 participation, with stops in Cyprus and Croatia, the Canadian landscape remains a charged arena for those advocating for an independent Khalistan. The ongoing demonstrations serve as a stark reminder of the deep-seated historical and political grievances that continue to reverberate across continents.