Recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have arisen due to concerns over Canada’s perceived support for Khalistan supporters, a group engaged in anti-India activities. The issue escalated following the assassination of Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada by an unknown assailant.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Diplomatic Tensions: India and Canada have been experiencing strained diplomatic relations lately.
Khalistan and Anti-India Activities: The source of tension is Canada’s perceived support for Khalistan supporters, who are involved in activities against India. Khalistan is a movement seeking a separate Sikh state.
Assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar: The situation intensified when Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, was killed in Canada by an unidentified person in the month of June.
Impact on Relations: This situation has negatively impacted India-Canada relations, as India views Canada’s stance as potentially aiding individuals or groups involved in anti-India activities.
Ongoing Developments: The situation is evolving, and it remains a point of contention between the two countries, with both sides working to address the diplomatic challenges. Canada has accused India of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan supporter. However, Canada lacks concrete evidence to substantiate this claim, and it remains an allegation without firm proof.
The allegation by Canada has prompted Indian ministers to take strong actions against Canada in response.
Who is the Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
The individual played a prominent leadership role within the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish a separate Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India.
He was accused of being involved in terrorist activities in India. This could include acts of violence, bombings, and other actions aimed at destabilizing the region to advance the Khalistan cause.
The Indian government had officially designated him as a terrorist due to his alleged involvement in these activities. Such a designation often leads to legal consequences and international efforts to apprehend and prosecute the individual.
In 1997, he left India and settled in Canada. Canada has a significant Sikh diaspora, and some members of this community have been associated with the Khalistan movement.
- Alleged ISI Connection:
The individual was alleged to have had connections with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). These alleged ties raised concerns about external support for the Khalistan movement and its activities in India.
What is Khalistan Movement?
The Khalistan movement is a political and separatist movement that emerged among some sections of the Sikh community in India, primarily in the state of Punjab, in the 1970s and 1980s. The movement’s goal is to create an independent Sikh state called “Khalistan” in the Punjab region, separate from the Indian Union.
Allegation on India by Justin Trudeau Canadian Prime Minister:
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, has made an accusation against India. He alleges that an Indian agent was responsible for the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau also suggests that this incident posed a threat to Canada’s sovereignty and integrity.
Absolutely, in this situation, Canada bears the responsibility to provide evidence and prove the allegation because the incident occurred within its own territory.
India has declared the allegation as the conspiracy theory by Canada.
Why Justin Trudeau is supporting Khalistani terrorism?
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, needed to secure 170 seats for a majority government, but he didn’t achieve this in the last two terms.
To stay in power, he formed alliances with the NDP party, which is believed to have Khalistani influences and is based in Canada.
If Justin Trudeau doesn’t support Khalistani groups, it could lead to the collapse of his government.
Justin Trudeau’s political agenda is causing deterioration in Canada’s relations with India.
Action taken against Canada:
- In year 2018 Justin Trudeau had visited India with his family. At that time agriculture minister had received him instead of prime minister. Meanwhile, when he went to Agra for visit Taj-Mahal, district magistrate of Agra, received him instead of Chief Minister of Utter Pradesh.
- On September 10, 2023: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for allowing anti-India protests in Canada led by Sheikh’s supporters.
- On September 14, 2023: Indian Minister Piyush Goyal announced the suspension of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada as a response to the tensions and concerns between the two countries.
- On September 18, 2023: A Canadian diplomat in India was asked to leave the country within a five-day period. This action was taken as part of diplomatic measures amid the strained relations between Canada and India.
- September 20, 2023: India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory for Indian citizens, recommending that they avoid traveling to Canada. Additionally, Indian students in Canada were advised to take precautions for their safety.
- India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released a list of Khalistani terrorists based in Canada. This list includes individuals believed to be involved in activities related to the Khalistan movement.
India is attempting to isolate Canada by employing this strategy.
Conclusion:
“In these recent incidents, political agendas, allegations, and diplomatic tensions have converged, casting a shadow over the once-stable relations between Canada and India. The delicate balance of international diplomacy and domestic politics continues to play a significant role in shaping the course of their interactions. As both nations navigate this complex landscape, the world watches closely, eager to see how these challenges will be resolved and what the future holds for their relationship.”