India on April 29 summoned Canada's Deputy High Commissioner and lodged strong protest over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans during a public event in Toronto in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The event was also attended by opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Trudeau's ruling coalition partner, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. At the event on Sunday, as the Canadian PM walked towards the stage for his address on the occasion of Khalsa Day, the "Khalistan Zindabad" slogans grew louder, a video released by Canadian TV channels showed. This happened again when opposition leader Pierre Poilievre walked towards the stage to begin his address. The event was also attended by New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
In recent years, relations between India and Canada have come under turbulence due to various geopolitical factors. A significant contributor to this tension has been Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's involvement in issues related to Khalistani separatists, which has consistently infuriated India. Trudeau's actions, often seen as sympathetic to or supportive of Khalistani separatism, have sparked controversy and strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. Trudeau has angered India by accusing Delhi of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, while India has described the allegations of Nijjar's murder as "absurd" and "politically motivated".
Trudeau's involvement in Khalistani separatist events and his sympathetic stance towards the movement remain a constant point of contention between India and Canada. The Khalistani movement advocates an independent Sikh state in the Indian state of Punjab and remains a sensitive issue for India, as it has the potential to incite violence and disrupt communal harmony. Trudeau's participation in events organised by groups sympathetic to the Khalistani cause, as well as his failure to explicitly condemn extremism, has shocked people in India.
In 2017, his presence at the Khalsa Day parade in Toronto, where Khalistani flags and posters of militant leaders were displayed, was criticised by Indian authorities. Similarly, his government's reluctance to label some Khalistani groups as terrorist organisations despite evidence of their involvement in violent activities has fuelled tensions.
The impact of Trudeau's actions on India-Canada relations cannot be underestimated. India, a key trade and strategic partner for Canada, has on several occasions expressed its displeasure at Trudeau's stance on Khalistani separatism. Diplomatic exchanges between the two countries have been affected by these disputes, hampering progress on key issues such as trade agreements and strategic cooperation. Furthermore, Trudeau's actions risk alienating Indian diaspora in Canada, particularly the Sikh community, which forms a significant part of the population. While some members of the Sikh community may support the Khalistani cause, many others see it as divisive and detrimental to the interests of both India and Canada. Trudeau's alleged attempt to woo certain sections of the Sikh electorate for political gains could erode trust within the community and affect social cohesion.
The Canadian Prime Minister may never have been India's closest ally, but he has now become an enemy, as diplomatic relations between the two countries have hit an all-time low. Taking on India could further isolate the North American country. I am unable to understand how glorification of terrorism or hate crime targeting a religious group can be permitted in the name of freedom of expression, when Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, president of the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice, openly attacked Hindus in Canada and asked them to leave the country and return to India, amid the ongoing standoff between the two countries.
The Canadian media also questioned the Prime Minister and some newspapers analysed that Trudeau may have been “provoked” to take a stand against India, as he was accused of his government not being transparent about “foreign interference” from China and its secrecy on national security matters. And now even the Canadian intelligence apparatus has admitted that there was interference by China in the elections there.
Now the diplomatic deadlock with India is not going down well with the people. India has suspended visa services for all Canadians and this is likely to affect business travellers and tourists. Those who do not have visas will not be able to travel to India. About 80,000 Canadians travelled to India in 2021. Now Trudeau's pro-Khalistan politics has not only disrupted the plans of thousands of tourists but also put other Indians in Canada at risk. The country has 1.4 million residents of Indian origin, which is 3.7 percent of Canada's population. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data for 2023, from January to June, 84,425 new permanent residents from India arrived in Canada. They are now worried about their future in the country.
One of our own correspondent, who was planning to go to Canada for further studies, has also postponed his program in view of all these events and is now looking for a move to another country.
Trudeau's actions regarding Khalistani separatism must be seen within this complex framework of domestic politics and international relations. While his intentions may be rooted in electoral mathematics, the consequences for bilateral relations with India cannot be ignored. Going forward, both Canada and India must work towards rebuilding trust and finding common ground on issues of mutual interest. This will require open dialogue, a commitment to respect each other's sovereignty and concerns, and a willingness to address contentious issues such as Khalistani separatism in a constructive manner. In conclusion, Justin Trudeau’s involvement in Khalistani separatist events has escalated tensions between India and Canada, creating challenges for bilateral relations and alienating segments of the Canadian population.
Uday India Bureau
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