India has confirmed its intention to pursue the extradition of Khalistani separatist leader Arsh Singh Gill, also known as Arsh Dalla, following his recent arrest in Canada. Dalla, who is the de facto chief of the banned militant group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was designated as a terrorist by India in 2023 for his involvement in numerous criminal and terrorist activities.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated on Thursday that India will take necessary steps to request Dalla’s extradition from Canada. He mentioned that India had earlier sought Dalla’s provisional arrest from Canadian authorities in July 2023, a request which was initially declined. However, with his recent arrest in Canada, India is now reinforcing its call for his extradition or deportation to face charges in India.
Arsh Dalla has been implicated in over 50 criminal cases in India, including murder, extortion, and terrorism-related offenses. He is a key figure in promoting separatist and terrorist activities linked to the Khalistan movement. In 2022, the Indian government issued a Red Corner Notice against him, seeking international assistance for his arrest.
Despite his criminal history in India, Canada had initially declined to arrest Dalla when India requested his provisional detention in 2023. India’s authorities had provided substantial information to the Canadian government, including evidence of Dalla’s involvement in terror financing, links to extremist groups, and financial transactions between Canada and India. Canada’s Department of Justice had sought additional information about Dalla’s activities in late 2023, and India responded with the requested details earlier in 2024.
Arsh Dalla’s arrest was reported in Canadian media on November 10, 2024. The Ontario Court has scheduled a hearing to address his case, which could lead to his deportation or extradition to India. Dalla’s criminal actions in both India and Canada have raised concerns regarding his influence on separatist activities and the global reach of terrorist financing networks.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that its agencies are actively following up on the case, emphasizing the importance of bringing Dalla to justice for his alleged role in terrorist acts that threaten both India and international security. The extradition request is likely to play a pivotal role in the growing diplomatic dialogue between India and Canada on issues related to extremism and terrorism.
India has consistently sought cooperation from Canada under international law frameworks such as the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Through this treaty, India has requested detailed information about Dalla’s suspected assets, financial activities, and his potential involvement in supporting terrorism. These requests underscore India’s commitment to pursuing justice and curbing cross-border terrorist operations.
The arrest of Arsh Dalla marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to combat Khalistani extremism, both domestically and abroad. As the case unfolds, the involvement of international legal systems will be crucial in determining Dalla’s fate and the broader implications for counter-terrorism cooperation between India and Canada.
