Canada Is Fast Turning Into West’s Pakistan
History is filled with examples of rulers who have lost their wisdom due to an insatiable desire for power. The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, seems to be the latest case in point, as evidenced by his response to the controversy surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on the Canadian soil. Trudeau has directly accused India of the murder.
Bilateral relations between the two nations have deteriorated sharply since PM Trudeau made this unprecedented claim in the Canadian Parliament roughly a week ago. His administration subsequently expelled a senior Indian diplomat on charges of “foreign interference.” In retaliation, New Delhi reciprocated within a day. This was followed by the Indian government issuing an advisory, warning its citizens in Canada about Sikh separatists’ incendiary rhetoric. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) then suspended visa services for Canada and also requested that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic footprint in India.
India’s Minister for External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, firmly articulated India’s position on this dispute during his address to the United Nations General Assembly. He stated, “The days when a few nations set the agenda and expected others to fall in line are over.” Jaishankar emphasized, “Respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry picking.”
While the incident involving Nijjar’s death is recent, the broader context dates back decades. Over the years, Canada has witnessed numerous instances of organized violence linked to anti-India separatist factions. The Canadian government’s apparent sympathy towards the banned group ‘Sikhs for Justice’ and its leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is baffling. Pannun has once again threatened India with terrorist acts during the upcoming ICC One Day International World Cup. Despite India’s consistent calls for action and supplying evidence against such factions, the Canadian government seems unresponsive. The global community is left puzzled as to why the Trudeau administration seems to prioritize its association with a proscribed terrorist over its diplomatic ties with the world’s largest democracy. Nijjar’s position as the Chief of the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF) is well-established, and he was a fugitive from Indian law. Yet, both PM Trudeau and his Foreign Minister have referred to him as a Canadian citizen, leading many to question the circumstances under which he was granted Canadian citizenship.
The underlying reason for Trudeau’s bold stance can be traced back to the political hunger for power I alluded to at the outset of this article. With Canada’s general elections approaching in 2025, Trudeau feels compelled to align with Khalistani sentiments to secure his government’s position. In the 2021 elections, Trudeau’s party did not secure a majority, requiring him to seek the support of the New Democratic Party headed by Jagmeet Singh to establish a coalition government. Singh is perceived in Canada as sympathetic to the Khalistani cause and has expressed a desire for justice in Nijjar’s case. Thus, Trudeau, leaning heavily on Singh’s backing, seems to be echoing similar sentiments. Interestingly, Trudeau’s position appears to be influenced by the significant Sikh population in Canada. However, it’s essential to note that the global Sikh community, widely recognized for its peaceful disposition, is not supportive of acts of terror.
The current dynamics suggest that Trudeau is adopting a strategy reminiscent of the one Pakistan has pursued for years, often to its own detriment. Just as the Kashmir issue remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s political narrative, the Khalistan issue is gaining traction in Canadian politics. Notably, there are ties linking Nijjar’s assassination to Pakistan. Reports indicate that the ISI planned Nijjar’s killing to exacerbate tensions between India and Canada. The ISI had been urging Nijjar for years to back Pakistani gangsters in Canada, but he showed inclinations towards ex-Khalistani leaders. Following his assassination, the ISI is reportedly scouting for alternatives and is mobilizing Khalistani-affiliated extremists within Canada. Nevertheless, due to proactive measures by India’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA), this plan seems to be on hold. It’s reported that 15 key Khalistani extremists involved in this initiative have been relocated to a safe facility of the Pakistani military near the Iran border.
PM Trudeau seems to be treading on thin ice, and while the global community appears to recognize this, he seems oblivious. Prominent figures within Canadian politics, including former Minister of Public Safety Kash Heed and ex-Parliamentarian Ramesh Sangha, have expressed their criticism. Furthermore, India’s neighbours, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have raised concerns about Canada’s stance on terrorism. The US administration, on the other hand, hasn’t met Trudeau’s anticipations for support. This became evident during a meeting between Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken. The US State Department subsequently clarified that this matter wasn’t on the meeting’s agenda.
Where does this controversy lead? Should Canada persist in its assertive stance and directly indict India, it will present a unique dilemma for Western nations, notably the United States, Britain, and Australia. The evident support for India by the West at the recent G20 summit underscores India’s emerging global importance, particularly against the backdrop of China. Navigating between India and Canada will undeniably be a strategic conundrum. To date, nations have approached this issue with measured and balanced reactions. Will Canada exhibit similar discernment? Notably, after encountering some resistance from the US, Canada’s rhetoric appears somewhat muted. Trudeau has reiterated his commitment to fortifying the ‘close relationship’ with India. During a press conference in Montreal, he emphasized the significance for Canada and its allies to engage proactively and thoughtfully with India, given its rising global influence. It is hoped that Trudeau will remain consistent in his actions, aligning them with his articulated stance.
