- The ties between India and Canada have been on a downward spiral in the last couple of years is stating the obvious. The erstwhile Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immensely contributed to the adverse effect on the relationship between the two countries. Trudeau had to pander to anti-India Sikh elements hell bent on furthering the cause of Khalistan to consolidate his vote bank and remain in the saddle. As you are aware, anti-India rallies by separatists denigrating the Indian leadership are frequent in Canada. And it gets further accentuated whenever Indian leadership visits the country. Some of the proscribed organisations and individuals (s) have found a safe haven in Canada with the backing of the local leadership in no small measure.
PC: NewsNation
- Justin Trudeau is no longer the Premier of Canada since Mark Carney has taken over the reins. The global community is aware of how the relationship between the two countries has panned out in the last couple of years. Diplomatic stand-off apart, the hard facts of trade driving the relationship cannot be discounted in the present-day world. It’s in the best interest of the two countries that Ottawa act against Khalistani groups to bring ties with New Delhi fully back on track. Further, ending days of speculation, Canadian PM Mark Carney has finally extended an invitation to Modi for the upcoming G7 summit. The whole world was watching this emerging situation and guessing whether Canada would extend an invitation to PM Modi.
PC: Organiser
- Carney now says that India is a must at the global high table since it is critical to global supply chains and other important geopolitical matters. Odds are that India and Canada will now be on the right path after a rough phase under the previous Canadian administration led chaotically by Trudeau. That said, Ottawa must know that full restoration of positive ties will depend on it taking appropriate action against Khalistani elements involved in anti-India plots. It is precisely because Trudeau refused to acknowledge this issue, thanks in large part to pro-Khalistan Jagmeet Singh being his coalition partner, that ties between the two soured in the first place. And when Trudeau, without a shred of evidence, blamed Indian government agents for the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, it was the last straw.
PC: Rediff
- Thankfully, Carney says that law enforcement dialogue between the two sides is now back on track. This is good news. But given the political clout that Khalistanis in Canada have come to enjoy over both major parties in that country, sensitivity towards India’s legitimate concerns risks being piecemeal. Mind you, there is sufficient evidence that Khalistani groups have been coordinating with Pakistan-sponsored extremist outfits. Operation Sindoor has altered the equation vis-à-vis India handling any terrorist related activities here. Remember, the people-to-people equation between India and Canada already has a strong foundation, thanks to the Indian diaspora. It’s time Canada gets the strategic dimension of the relationship right.
