Amid the tensions between India and Canada, the security of the Canada High Commission in Delhi has been increased…reports Asian Lite News
After the recent “unfounded” accusations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the relationship between India and Canada, two great democracies stand on thin ice, author Dr Jasneet Bhatti wrote in Khalsa Vox.
According to the author, the “abrupt declaration that India could have had a hand” in the killing of a Sikh extremist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, is not only “bewildering” but might also signify a “new low in the bilateral relations of these countries”.
At its core, this accusation seems to be rooted more in prejudice and less in fact. India’s outrage is hardly surprising for a nation that has always championed the fight against terrorism on a global stage.
For Canada, however, such a hasty judgment might prove costly. Instead of basing relationships on mutual respect and understanding, Canada’s unwarranted support for extremist groups, notably the Khalistan movement, poses a real threat to international collaboration.
To draw an analogy, Canada’s stance feels eerily similar to Pakistan’s known interference in India’s domestic matters. The consistent efforts to undermine and misrepresent India’s intentions have been a characteristic feature of Pakistan’s approach.
Security increased outside Canadian High Commission
Amid the tensions between India and Canada, the security of the Canada High Commission here was increased on Tuesday.
Several personnel of the Central Reserve Police and Delhi Police were deployed outside the Canadian High Commission.
This comes moments after India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat to India in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat.
Canadian High Commissioner to India, Cameron MacKay was summoned today to the South Block, the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs.
“The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said today.
It added, “The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days. The decision reflects the Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities”.
Meanwhile, India rejected the “absurd and motivated” claims made by the Canadian Prime Minister about New Delhi playing a role in the June killing of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
“We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister,” said the MEA in an official statement.
“Allegations of the Indian government’s “involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated” the statement said.
It added, “Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected”.
The statement said India is a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law.
“Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern,” the MEA statement said.
The release states that Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements and that remains a matter of deep concern.
“The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new” read the release.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Monday said an Indian diplomat in Canada had been expelled, over allegations of the country’s involvement in the killing of the Khalistani leader Nijjar. (ANI)
World leaders “deeply concerned”
World leaders have expressed ‘deep concerns’ after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
The White House is “deeply concerned” about the accusations. “We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada’s investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice,” said a spokesman for the National Security Council, Adrienne Watson.
The claims have “deeply concerned” Australia as well, according to a spokesperson for Penny Wong, the foreign minister of Australia. “We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India,” a statement read.
“We understand these reports will be particularly concerning to some Australian communities. The Indian diaspora is a valued and important contributor to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society, where all Australians can peacefully and safely express their views.”