Canadian Govt’s accusations inspired by Khalistani vote bank : India slams Canada
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Ottawa (Canada) / New Delhi – In the case of the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, the Canadian Government has named Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner, and other diplomats as suspects. In response, India has recalled Sanjay Kumar Verma and ordered six officials from the Canadian embassy in India to leave the country. After India’s action, Canada also ordered seven Indian diplomats to leave the country. India has given Canadian officials until 19th October to depart. Firmly rejecting the allegations, India asserted that the Trudeau Government’s political strategy is motivated by Khalistani vote-bank politics, something Canada has been doing for a long time. His cabinet includes individuals linked to policies hostile to India, including terrorism and separatism.
Canada’s Justin Trudeau Government’s accusations inspired by Khalistani vote bank. – India responds staunchly to #Canada‘s allegations that India’s High Commissioner in Canada was behind the killing of #Khalistani terrorist Nijjar.
👉 This absurdity by Canada to secure… pic.twitter.com/dyvrJdTwyl
— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 15, 2024
In September 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau made similar accusations, but despite repeated requests, the Canadian Government has not provided any evidence to the Indian authorities. This latest claim follows the same pattern.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that despite being aware of the threats, the Trudeau Government has sheltered violent extremists and terrorists who have been threatening Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada. These threats include death threats to Indian leaders. Additionally, Canada has granted citizenship to some individuals who entered the country illegally and has repeatedly rejected India’s extradition requests for individuals involved in terrorism and organised crime.
India reprimands Canada’s High Commissioner
Canada’s communication to India did not mention Hardeep Singh Nijjar by name, only referring to him as a “Canadian citizen.” On 14th October, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Canada’s High Commissioner to inform him that the accusations were baseless. India also announced that it was recalling its High Commissioner and other officials from Canada.
We have provided evidence : Canada
Stewart Wheeler, Canada’s Deputy High Commissioner to India, stated after leaving the Ministry of External Affairs that Canada had provided India with substantial evidence linking Indian agents to the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. He added that it is now up to India to act on these accusations, which is in the best interest of both countries. Canada is ready to cooperate.
We do not trust Canada : India
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it does not trust the Canadian Government to ensure the safety of its High Commissioner, Sanjay Verma, while he is in Canada.
Indian agents aided by Bishnoi gang : Canadian Police
On 14th October, Canadian Police held a press conference where Commissioner Michael Duheme alleged that Indian diplomats and officials in Canada have been misusing their positions to covertly gather intelligence for the Indian Government. He stated that intermediaries were coerced or threatened into cooperating, and that some of the gathered intelligence was used to target the South Asian community. The Canadian Police claim to have shared this evidence with Indian officials and urged them to halt the violence and cooperate. Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin added that their investigation found links between these intermediaries and organised crime groups, particularly the Bishnoi gang, which they believe is connected to Indian agents.
We cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening : Prime Minister Trudeau
During a press conference in Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated that Canadian authorities were aware of the personal involvement of Indian officials in Nijjar’s assassination. He said Canada had repeatedly shared this information with India, along with concrete evidence last week, and requested cooperation, but received no assistance. Trudeau claimed he personally discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but India denied the allegations and instead launched personal attacks against him.
Trudeau emphasised the importance of the bilateral relationship, insisting that the accusations were not intended to harm it. However, he added, “We cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening.” He expressed hope that India would respect Canada’s sovereignty and integrity, just as Canada respects India’s. He said that as a Prime Minister, it is his duty to stand by the vulnerable sections of the country.
Nijjar assassination case
1. On 18th June, 2023, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed near a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada.
2. On 18th September, 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau accused the Indian Government of involvement in Nijjar’s murder, which India denied.
3. On 3rd May of this year, three suspects in Nijjar’s murder were arrested, all of them Indian. Canadian Police had been monitoring them for months, believing that India had tasked them with killing Nijjar. India, however, maintained that it was an internal matter for Canada.
Why is this case important for Trudeau ?
Canada’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2025, and Khalistani supporters are seen as a significant vote bank for Trudeau’s party. Just last month, Jagmeet Singh’s NDP, a pro-Khalistan party, withdrew its support for Trudeau’s Government, leaving it in a minority. However, following a confidence vote on 1st October, Trudeau’s party secured support from another party and remained in power.
According to the 2021 census, Canada’s population stands at 38.9 million, of which 1.8 million are of Indian origin, making up 5% of the population. Of this group, over 7 lakhs are Sikhs, accounting for 2% of the population. A substantial portion of this group supports Khalistan.
Editorial PerspectiveThis absurdity by Canada to secure Khalistani votes, should be rightfully exposed every time by India on the global stage. |