India and Canada are once again facing diplomatic tensions as a prominent separatist leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, warns Sikhs not to travel on Air India flights later this month. Pannun, who is based in Canada, released a video in which he issued multiple threats, stating that there could be life-threatening consequences for those traveling on Air India flights on 19 November.

In the video circulating on social media, Pannun urged the Sikh community to participate in a global blockade of Air India on that specific date. He emphasized the potential danger associated with traveling by the Indian state carrier and warned that lives would be at risk. Pannun, who has been designated an independent terrorist by the Indian government, also announced his intention to shut down New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on 19 November, suggesting a change in its name.

The timing of the threats is notable as India is hosting the final match of the International Men's Cricket World Cup on the same date. Pannun linked this event to his cause, claiming that it would highlight what he referred to as a genocide of Sikhs perpetrated by India. He further proposed renaming the airports in Punjab after two assassins who killed former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.

Indian officials have expressed concern over the threats and stated their intention to discuss the matter with the Canadian authorities. Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's high commissioner to Canada, confirmed that they have seen the video issued by Pannun. Verma noted that the threats violate the Chicago Convention, a framework governing international civil aviation operations, to which both Canada and India are signatories. He emphasized the significance of addressing such threats within the framework of the bilateral civil aviation agreement between the two nations.

The resemblance between the current threats and the 1985 terrorist attack orchestrated by Khalistan leaders, which resulted in the deaths of 329 people on board Air India flight 182, is a cause for concern. This history adds weight to the seriousness of the situation.

The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have deepened over the past months. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to the withdrawal of 41 Canadian diplomats from India. India's high commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, criticized the Canadian police investigation into Nijjar's murder, stating that it had been damaged by a high-level Canadian official's public statement insinuating Indian involvement.

Both nations are grappling with the fallout of these events, resulting in strained diplomatic relations. India has yet to receive concrete evidence from Canada or its allies regarding any Indian involvement in the murder, despite claims from a US envoy that the Five Eyes alliance is aware of such interference.

The Independent has reached out to India's Ministry of External Affairs for further comment on the matter. As tensions continue to rise, the international community will closely watch how these issues are addressed and resolved by the concerned parties.