- The bilateral relationship between India and Canada has been under severe strain is stating the obvious. Ever since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made unsubstantiated, unverified, and uncharacteristic claims of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the relationship between the two countries has nosedived badly. Of course, the Indian leadership has vehemently denied the claims asking for evidence to be provided. Interestingly, in all this, the United States of America has backed the Canadian side without affecting the strategic relationship with India. Apart from the diplomatic spat, the top leadership also has had less than cordial exchanges at different international forums.
PC: Deccan Herald
- Make no mistake, India’s economic heft and traction have grown manifold in the eyes of the global leadership, duly backed by the statistics. However, the domestic compulsions of the Trudeau administration are compelling the leader to resort to some cheap politics over the issue without comprehending the sensitivities associated with the Indian side, especially the separatist activities perpetrated by the Khalistan proponents. Ottawa’s latest allegation that six Indian diplomats including high commissioner Sanjay Varma, were persons of interest in the probe into the killing of Khalistani separatist Nijjar has been summarily rejected by New Delhi. The diplomats concerned have been withdrawn, while six Canadian diplomats in India have been expelled.
- Of course, Khalistani influence on Canadian politics is thanks to the country’s electoral rules. Over the years, Canada has seen a steady rise in Khalistani activity. While the majority of the Indian-origin population in Canada has nothing to do with the Khalistani movement, the fringe extremists have come to acquire influence over Canadian polity, especially Trudeau’s Liberal Party. Khalistanis have been exploiting the Canadian electoral system in two ways. First, Canadian political parties select candidates for polls through a nomination process where potential nominees must bring in letters of support from actual voters. Since Canadian Sikhs have strong community unity, they can garner support for their candidate at the nomination stage.
PC: Hindustan Times
- Second, corporations and trade unions can’t finance political parties in Canada. But charities can in an indirect way. Some Sikh gurdwara golaks use this loophole to finance their candidates, thereby increasing their political influence. Trudeau’s popularity ratings have been sliding since last year and he has recently suffered several electoral knocks. He survived a vote of confidence last month despite the opposition Conservative Party having a big lead in opinion polls. The opposition is preferring Trudeau potters along for some more time. Nonetheless, this severely damages India-Canada relations. Unfortunately, Trudeau with Canadian elections scheduled next year simply appears to not care. India is not overtly worried though with the happenings.
