Khalistani groups have ratcheted up their campaign in Canada, putting at risk Indian diplomats based there by including their photographs on pro-Khalistan posters and identifying them as “killers” of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was killed in Vancouver last month.

The posters — with photographs of the Indian high commissioner in Ottawa, and the consulate-generals in Toronto and Vancouver — have come up in connection with the “Khalistan Freedom Rally” that has been called by Khalistani groups on July 8 in different cities of Canada. The graphic posters carry the words “Kill India” and identify the diplomats as “Faces of Shaheed Nijjar’s Killers”.

Given the time difference, there was no immediate official response from India to the development that comes amid repeated requests by New Delhi to Ottawa to act against such groups and also warnings that the activities of Khalistani groups could impact bilateral relations. But there are indications that India will be sending across a stern message to Canada, considering the posters are a threat to the safety of Indian diplomats.

“We have requested countries (like Canada, the UK, Australia, and the US where Khalistani groups carry out propaganda activities as well as the Khalistan referendum) that they should not give space to these Khalistanis. These radical extremist ideologies are neither good for us, them, nor bilateral relations. We will definitely raise the issue of these posters with these governments,’’ external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday in response to questions from the media on the posters during a brief interaction on the sidelines of an event.