India’s Firm Message to Canada: Tackle Khalistani Extremism, Preserve Bilateral Ties
Rohan Giri
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been thrown into a state of disarray after insinuations on possible Indian involvement in murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a proscribed terrorist identified as a member of Khalistan Tiger Force.
These claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have ignited tensions, prompting a sharp rebuke from India\’s Ambassador to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma that criticised Canada for damaging bilateral relations. Verma asserted that the accusations lack substantial evidence and may have been influenced by high-level directions.
Allegations of India\’s involvement in reported murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who had obtained Canadian citizenship, emerged after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s address in the country’s Parliament on September 18. He had claimed to have \”credible evidence that the Indian government assassinated a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.\” This serious assertion put a strain on bilateral relations.
However, India recognised as a robust and healthy democracy, has no historical record of engaging in such clandestine activities and consistently championed the path of peace both regionally and globally.
In an interview to ‘The Globe and Mail’, Indian envoy Sanjay Kumar Verma offered a forceful rebuttal to these allegations chastising Canada for failing to furnish any concrete or pertinent details that would substantiate their accusations. He expressed apprehension regarding the investigation\’s integrity, hinting at possibility of high-level interference in investigative proceedings.
The accusations triggered significant diplomatic fallout and unilaterally Canada escalated further by suspending an Indian diplomat. Retaliating, India declared a Canadian senior diplomat persona non grata and requested the Canadian government to withdraw a substantial number of its diplomatic staff from India. This diplomatic spat loomed as a potential threat to the broader bilateral engagement between the two countries.
Verma scrutinised validity and admissibility of the purported evidence underpinning Canada\’s claims, pointing out that diplomatic exchanges were safeguarded by international law and not admissible in a legal context or for public revelation. He called on Canada to explain the methods used to obtain these conversations and raised the possibility that the alleged wiretaps could have involved impersonated voices.
India has on multiple occasions drawn attention to its pending extradition requests, which it alleges Canada has consistently overlooked. Following the accusations against India, the Ministry of External Affairs labeled Canada as a \”safe haven for terrorists, gangsters, and criminals.\” This characterisation is not made lightly; it mirrors the perception of contemporary Canada and has added further tension to the already strained diplomatic relations.
The fabric of India-Canada relations has been further frayed by a deeply troubling series of events in Canada. There is a growing wave of hostility, as sacred Hindu sites and the assets of the Indian community have come under repeated attack. This disturbing trend has escalated to a point where the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada is now in jeopardy. The aftermath of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has unleashed a torrent of direct threats and vitriolic hate speech aimed at the Indian diplomatic corps.
The atmosphere of intimidation has been starkly illustrated by the appearance of menacing posters throughout Canada. These posters not only advocate for the assassination of Indian officials but audaciously depict them as adversaries of the Canadian state, ratcheting up the diplomatic tension to an alarming degree. This volatile situation casts a shadow over the Indian community in Canada and puts the diplomatic ties between the two nations on a knife-edge.
In a comprehensive analysis, as an international think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, raised alarm in its latest report about the escalating threat of Khalistani extremism in Canada, particularly during Prime Minister Trudeau\’s administration. The report stressed that this radical movement, bolstered by Pakistani support, has intensified, putting a strain on Canada\’s social fabric and its long-standing multicultural values.
Ties between Canada and India have deteriorated, attributed in part to Trudeau\’s interactions with Khalistani proponents and his unsubstantiated accusations against India. These actions have not only marred Trudeau\’s leadership but reflect political influence of Jagmeet Singh, the NDP leader known for his Khalistani linkages and frequent anti-India commentary.
CIHS report warned that the Canadian government\’s perceived indifference towards growing Khalistani presence could incentivise separatist sentiments, potentially triggering a secessionist referendum. Such developments threaten Canadian unity and sovereignty. The think tank underlined the urgency for Canada to repair its diplomatic relations with India.
Moreover, it called on Western nations to tackle Khalistani extremism with an unwavering adherence to the rule of law and a commitment to security, human rights, and democratic principles. The response to this issue is critical, the report concludes, as it will significantly shape the future of international relations and the global order.
Trudeau has seemingly overlooked these critical issues. The unchecked growth of separatist movements poses a real and significant threat to the security of Canada. It seems he fails to acknowledge the true character of terrorism, which knows no religious or ideological limits. No amount of diplomatic veneer can mask this reality. Historical patterns suggest that the consequences of neglecting such threats often have a way of returning to their origin with compounded force
Addressing these challenges with substantive dialogue and addressing the influence of Khalistani factions in Canada is crucial for restoring confidence and strengthening the bilateral relationship. The current diplomatic impasse highlights the importance of adhering to diplomatic norms, international law, and the protection of envoys abroad. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau\’s approach, which seems to prioritise internal political advantages over international protocol, reflects a departure from statesmanlike conduct. Such a strategy may jeopardise the diplomatic bond with India and other law-abiding democracies worldwide.
(author is manager – operations at New Delhi based non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)