Round The
World
New Delhi, 22 September 2023
India-Canada Ties
THE KHALISTAN FACTOR
By Prof. DK Giri
(Secretary General, Assn for
Democratic Socialism)
India-Canada relations seem to have hit a new
lowfollowing the allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that
Indian ‘agents’ may have a hand in murder of the Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep
Singh Nijjar last June. He further asserts that the evidence had been shared
with India and the issue had been raised in the bilateral meeting with Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on the fringe of G-20. This has setoff a chain of
actions and retaliations by both countries.
Canada has expelled a senior Indian diplomat. In
retaliation, New Delhi has expelled the Canadian station chief on charges of
spying. A business delegation from Canada planned in October has been called
off. Discussion on the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and India is put on
hold. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory, which is
strongly worded. It reads, “In view of growing anti-India
activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in
Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to
exercise utmost caution.”
The advisory basically warns Indian nationals in Canada
and those wanting to visit the country, against “anti-India activities” and
“politically-condoned hate crimes”. It further says, “Recently, threats have particularly
targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the
anti-India agenda… Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling
to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.”
Obviously, the usual fallout of such a travel
advisory is that official visits or those sanctioned by the Indian government
will not take place. Visits by private individuals on tourist, business, and
student visas, however, can continue. But it may be that such a travel advisory
is hard to follow and implement, since the two countries are closely linked
through people-to-people ties – through families, studies, and business.
On the wider ramification, the current spat between
the countries portends unwanted consequences for the bilateralism. Both
countries are political democracies and plural societies irrespective of their domestic
political problems and compulsions. Cananda is a NATO member and is closely
associated with the Western block. In face of common threat from China, which
ironically works as a catalyst for many countries to come together, New Delhi
and Ottawa were coming close. Michael Kugelman, the Asia Program Deputy Director and Senior Associate for
South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in
Washington, DC, USA, put the
current Indo-Canadian relations, pithily, commercial ties were robust and
strategic convergences, especially shared concerns about China, were
strengthening cooperation. Seeking to diversify the Canadian economy, Trudeau
saw India as a critical partner under its Indo-Pacific strategy, given the
country’s growing economic and demographic importance in the region. As
recently as May, both sides appeared optimistic about the Free Trade Agreement.
The startling allegation made by the Canadian Prime
Minister has upset the apple cart. Clearly, Justin Trudeau is a political
hostage to a party of the Sikhs in his country who have active sympathy for a
separatist movement, read Khalistani in Indian state of Punjab. The Khalistani
support in Canada is not new.It goes back some over 40 years. But it was
handled somewhat with goodwill and understandingbetween the leadership of both
countries. What has changed under Justin Trudeau is his tacit support and even
open dalliance with Khalistani forces. One feels sorry for Trudeau as captain
Amarinder Singh, the former Punjab Chief Minister said, “Trudeau has unknowinglywalked
into a mortal trap by allying with the militant Khalistani sympathisers”.
What is the issue at hand now? Trudeau has said the
Canadian agencies have investigated the murder and have apparently found the
involvement of Indian agents. The government of India has dismissed the charge
as ‘absurd and motivated.’ It is perhaps silly to argue over it. As suggested
by a few commentators, Indian Home Minister should sit down with his Canadian
counterpart and thrash this out. Anybody found guilty should be brought to book.
It is another matter that Nijjar was a “wanted criminal” accused of various
offences. But murder of any person bypassing the judicial system is not allowed
in either of the countries.
Let us dig a bit deeper lest one should be accused
of simplifying the present impasse.In early June, India’s Minister of External
Affairs, S. Jaishankar, expressed deep concerns that Canada giving space to
Sikh separatists “was not good for the relationship” between the two countries.
The comments were made in response to a question over a social media clip of a
parade held by Khalistan separatists in Brampton, Ontario, on June 4. He added “For
us, how Canada has dealt with the Khalistani issue has been a long-standing concern because, very frankly,
they seem to be driven by vote-bank politics.” This was a reference to the sizeable
Canadian Sikh voters who could sway he electoral verdict either way. Ten days
after Jaishankar’s warnings, Nijjar was shot dead at a Sikh temple in
Vancouver.
However, the link between Jaishankar’s remarks and
the murder of Nijjar could not be automatic and is in fact, ridiculous to
suggest so. On the other hand, the deterioration in the relationship could be
attributed to growing Sikh activism, not only in Canada but also in the U.K.,
U.S., and Australia, including widespread protests held in March over the
manhunt for another Sikh separatist leader, Amritpal Singh. “The stepped-up
activism has sharpened New Delhi’s concerns while Canada, citing freedom of speech,
holds backfrom taking actions.
To be sure,Trudeau’s track record in dealing with Khalistan
supporters in Canada is dismal. On the contrary, he has overlooked open
incitement to violence against Indians. Sikh extremists havecelebrated the
assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, they have put up
“Kill India” posters calling for violence against Indian
diplomats and vandalized Hindu temples. Trudeau
has even attended and participated in events that have
glorified militants.His visit prior to his presence in G-20 Summit was vitiated
by objectionable events he was involved with.
That said, New Delhi should see Indo-Canadian
relations without and beyond Trudeau and encourage and facilitate multiple
contacts in Canada to deal with the any support for Khalistan emerging from
that country. Remember,Canada is home to the world’s largest Sikh population
outside India, numbering nearly 770,000 people, or 2.1% of the country’s
population.
At the same time, Canada hosts one of the largest
Indian diasporas in the world counting to 16 lakh people of Indian origin,
accounting for over 3 per cent of the total Canadian population, including 7
lakh NRIs.As per the last year’s data, India became the top source of foreign
students studying in Canada — 2.3 lakh. Indian companies in Canada are active
in information technology, software, steel, natural resources, and banking sectors.
Canada remains the most attractive destination for Indian youths to study and
work. Trade and commerce are bound to grow between the two countries.
It is therefore prudent and pragmatic to deal with
the current tensions with care. Canada should not become China or Pakistan for
India with ongoing conflicts spiralling out of hand.---INFA
(Copyright, India News &
Feature Alliance)
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