India-Canada Diplomatic Relations Shaken Amidst Khalistani Controversy
London: The recent accusations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, claiming Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have further strained the already delicate relationship between India and Canada. However, this tension did not arise overnight and has its roots in historical events.
Historical Background
The Sikh community began immigrating to Canada in the early 20th century, with many settling in British Columbia. Over time, Sikhs became an integral part of Canadian society. In the 1970s, diplomatic relations between Canada and India deteriorated when India conducted a nuclear test in Pokhran. This test, coupled with the use of Canadian-supplied reactors to disrupt law and order, angered then-Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who was also the father of the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The unrest caused by these events gave momentum to the Khalistan movement in Punjab, which found acceptance among the Sikh community in Canada. Many Sikhs sought refuge in Canada, citing political oppression in their homeland. Consequently, Talwinder Singh Parmar, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, found sanctuary in Canada. Parmar was the mastermind behind the attack on Air India Flight 182 in 1985, resulting in the loss of 307 lives. This tragic incident remains a dark event in Canadian history and is remembered as the National Day for Victims of Terrorism.
Resurgence of Khalistan Debates
While Khalistanism faded in India by the 1990s, it continued to thrive in Canada. In 2010, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern about the Khalistan debates during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The issue regained momentum after Justin Trudeau assumed power in 2015, with Khalistan supporters backing the Liberal Party in the elections.
Efforts to Improve Relations
Despite the Khalistani controversy, Canada has made attempts to renew its relations with India. Initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy released in November 2021, which emphasized India’s significance as an “essential partner,” have been undertaken. Several cabinet ministers have successfully visited India, and there is hope for progress on a potential trade deal. Nevertheless, the ongoing Khalistani operations often undermine these efforts.
Current Conflict
The recent expulsion of diplomatic representatives following the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar has escalated tensions between India and Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau was scheduled to visit India in September, but the bilateral relations crisis derailed those plans. Additionally, the India-Canada trade talks, originally slated for October, have been postponed due to the ongoing turmoil in the relationship. India ranks as Canada’s 10th largest trading partner, making it crucial to resolve the issues between the two nations.
India has long criticized Canada’s soft approach towards individuals involved in anti-India activities, further worsening the strained diplomatic relations. As the controversy surrounding Khalistan continues, it remains to be seen how both countries navigate this complex situation and restore bilateral ties.
London: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that India is involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which has shaken India-Canada diplomatic relations. But the strained relationship between India and Canada was not sudden. He is 45 years old.
India has always said that Canada takes a soft approach towards those involved in anti-India activities.
Sikhs began immigrating to Canada in the early 20th century. Sikhs who were in the British army noticed this place and settled when they were traveling through British Columbia. By the 1970s, the Sikh community had become an important part of Canadian society.
In the same year, diplomatic relations between Canada and India deteriorated. The time when India conducted a nuclear test in Pokhran. The experiment angered then-Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
The use of Canadian-supplied reactors to disrupt law and order upset Pierre Trudeau, who is also the father of current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The unrest later affected diplomatic relations between India and Canada. With this, the Khalistan debate, which was gaining strength in Punjab, began to gain acceptance in Canada as well. Subsequently, many Sikhs sought to be considered refugees in Canada, citing political oppression in their own country. The Canadian Government considered it and gave them protection. Thus, Talwinder Singh Parmar is an important figure among the Khalistan Wadi located in Canada. Talwinder Singh was a key player in the attack of Air India Flight 182. He himself was also the head of the organization called Babar Khalsa International.
On June 23, 1985, a flight from Montreal to London was blown up by Khalistan terrorists with a bomb. The bodies of the passengers were scattered on the coast of Ireland and in the sea. 307 passengers and 22 crew members were killed. It was the worst incident in Canadian history. It was recognized as National Day for Victims of Terrorism.
At the same time, a major problem for the Khalistani leaders was how to control the English language. At the beginning of the 21st century, there were Khalistani leaders who could manage English well. They were all children of Khalistani leaders who were refugees in Canada in the 1980s.
Khalistanism may have died out in India by the 90s, but it remained strong in Canada. In 2010, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was attending the G20 Summit in Toronto, met Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and expressed his concern.
After Justin Trudeau came to power in 2015, the Khalistan debates gained momentum again.
Those who were in favor of Khalistan supported the Liberal Party in that election. India filed a case against Khalistan supporter Ripudaman Singh Malik in connection with the attack on the Air India plane, but eventually he had to be released. At that time, the Canadian government wrote a letter in 2022 congratulating the Indian government.
Meanwhile, Sikh terrorism in Canada
A report came in 2018 that attendance. Another example of Canada’s openness to the Khalistan party is the government’s approach to the upcoming Khalistan referendum by the pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). It is now known that the referendum that was supposed to take place in 2020 will only take place in 2025. But Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now saying that the country will not accept the things that were proposed by the referendum.
However, whenever Canada tries to renew relations with India, such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy released in November last year, calling India an “essential partner”, the Khalistani operation undermines relations. With several cabinet ministers making successful visits to India, an initial progress trade deal is likely to emerge.
Prime Minister Trudeau himself was expected to visit India in September this year when the two countries came into open combat, expelling diplomatic representatives following the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Earlier, Canada had announced that India-Canada trade talks scheduled for October have been postponed. The reports that came out were that the discussion was postponed due to the continuation of turmoil in the relationship between the two countries. India is Canada’s 10th largest trading partner. That’s when the problem between the two countries got worse again.
