Ajit Doval’s Role in India’s Transnational Repression of Sikhs

“We no longer send dossiers, we go into their homes to kill them,” stated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting a concerning shift in tactics regarding the treatment of Sikhs abroad. This remark was made during a conference organized by the Sikh Federation UK, which took place in Geneva on March 17, 2026, amid the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The conference aimed to expose the Modi government’s systematic targeting of Sikh activists and communities living outside India. Leaders from the Sikh diaspora, representing countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia, the US, and Switzerland, gathered to discuss the intensifying transnational repression faced by Sikhs since the 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Under the leadership of Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Indian government has ramped up its surveillance and intimidation tactics against Sikhs abroad. Reports indicate that this repression has included threats and even extrajudicial killings, with intelligence gathering leading to assassinations as recently as 2023.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk emphasized the urgent need for “zero tolerance” toward such transnational repression, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The conference served as a crucial platform for raising awareness about the threats facing the Sikh diaspora due to India’s aggressive tactics.

Modi’s earlier statement in April 2024 signaled a shift to more aggressive measures against Sikhs living abroad, further alarming community leaders and human rights advocates. The event in Geneva marked a significant milestone in bringing the plight of Sikhs to a global audience.

Participants at the conference called for the UN to appoint special rapporteurs to document ongoing human rights violations, stressing the need for international oversight in light of India’s actions. The rise of the Khalistan movement has been linked to decades of repression against Sikhs by the Indian government, and the current situation reflects a continuation of this troubling trend.

As the conference concluded, the urgency of addressing the plight of Sikhs abroad was evident, with participants expressing a commitment to continue advocating for their rights on the international stage. The developments in Geneva are expected to influence future discussions at the UN regarding human rights and transnational repression.