Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green has reaffirmed Canberra’s respect for India’s territorial integrity and said Australia maintains “zero tolerance” for violence linked to Khalistan-related activity.
In an interview with ANI, Green said Australian authorities are working across intelligence, policing, multicultural affairs and foreign policy agencies to respond to concerns raised by India about extremist elements.
Green stressed that Australia does not support any irredentist movements and will act firmly where criminal conduct is identified.
“We have certainly taken note of it. Our authorities frequently engage in this matter. Australia fully respects India’s territorial integrity, and we have no association with irredentist elements,” Green said.
“Australia is a democracy, and people have the right to peaceful protest… but criminal activity will not be tolerated.”
Green said cooperation with India on security-related concerns remains ongoing and forms part of a broader bilateral relationship that also includes education, migration and trade ties.
He added that Australia continues to welcome large numbers of Indian students and tourists each year. That isolated deportation cases should not be seen as representative of the wider Indian community in Australia.
The Australian High Commissioner’s comments come amid heightened international attention on violent Khalistan-linked activity, particularly following recent intelligence assessments in Canada that have again flagged concerns about Canada-based extremist networks.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has previously reported that some Khalistani extremist elements have used Canada as a base for fundraising, propaganda and, in some cases, planning violent terror activity primarily targeting India.
The CSIS assessments, tabled in the Canadian Parliament, also referenced the legacy of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing—the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada’s history—which continues to shape security debates around politically motivated violence.
While Canadian authorities distinguish between peaceful advocacy for Khalistan and violent extremism, they have maintained that a small subset of actors linked to such networks continue to pose grave national security concerns.
The issue has periodically strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada, with New Delhi repeatedly urging stronger action against individuals and groups accused of using Canadian territory to support extremist activity.
Last year, an Indian parliamentary response also noted ongoing engagement with Canadian authorities on counterterrorism cooperation and security-related dialogue following discussions at the leader level and within intelligence frameworks.
Against this backdrop, Green’s remarks reflect Australia’s effort to clearly position itself alongside India on sovereignty concerns while also balancing its domestic multicultural and civil liberties framework. He reiterated that lawful protest is part of democratic life, but any crossing into violence or criminal conduct would be dealt with under Australian law.
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