'Khalistan Issue Caused Suffering In India': New Zealand PM Says Won't Tolerate Criminal Behaviour

'Khalistan Issue Caused Suffering In India': New Zealand PM Says Won't Tolerate Criminal Behaviour

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Last Updated: July 06, 2026, 19:01 IST

Calling the matter "hypothetical", the New Zealand PM said any decision regarding a Khalistan referendum would depend on police assessments of potential risks.

Luxon said the Khalistan issue will not become a stumbling block in India-New Zealand ties. (AFP photo)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday addressed concerns over the Khalistan issue and stated his government will not tolerate criminal behaviour. He said that while New Zealand values free speech, any intimidation or violence would be dealt with strictly under the law.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Luxon said the Khalistan issue has caused significant “suffering" in India but maintained that it would not become a stumbling block in ties between the two countries.

“The Khalistan issue has caused ‘huge pain and suffering’ in India."On concerns over transnational extremism & #Khalistan movement, New Zealand PM @chrisluxonmp says his govt will not tolerate criminal behaviour on World Exclusive | @RShivshankar pic.twitter.com/3YK69chmW9 — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 6, 2026

Won’t Tolerate Violence Linked To Khalistan Issue: Luxon

Upon being asked if the Khalistan issue would affect the ties between the two nations, he responded, “No, I don’t think so," adding, “I mean, firstly, what I acknowledge is on the Khalistan issue, you know, that has caused a huge amount of pain and suffering and a tremendous loss of lives and livelihoods within India, and we’re well aware of that. You know, we are also a country that, you know, has very clear rules that, yes, while we’re a liberal democracy, we expect freedom of expression and free speech. We expect people to be compliant with our rules."

“And any threats of intimidation or violence is utterly unacceptable, and our police are alert to those issues, and manage those well," he remarked.

‘Referendum Depends On Police Risk Assessment’

Responding to a question on whether New Zealand would permit a Khalistan referendum, PM Luxon said the matter was “hypothetical" and any decision would depend on police assessments of potential risks.

#WorldExclusive | Will New Zealand allow a Khalistan referendum?Asked whether New Zealand would permit a so-called Khalistan referendum, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) said any decision would depend on police assessments of the threat and security environment.… pic.twitter.com/kVf2FTsPcv — News18 (@CNNnews18) July 6, 2026

“Well, it’s all quite hypothetical. It would depend on, you know, what our police are assessing as the risk or the threat that’s sitting there. But again, as I said to you, we have pretty clear rights and responsibilities in this country… You don’t just have a right without taking the responsibility as well. We would expect people to be compliant with that as well," he said, adding that demonstrations held in 2024 had remained within the law and were closely monitored by police.

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About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Wellington, New Zealand

First Published: July 06, 2026, 19:01 IST

News world 'Khalistan Issue Caused Suffering In India': New Zealand PM Says Won't Tolerate Criminal Behaviour

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