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Gunfire Strikes Home of Pro-Khalistan Activist in Canada’s Ontario

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the shutdown of Delhi's IGI Airport on November 19, the day on which the final of the ongoing cricket World Cup will be played in Ahmedabad.(IANS/Video Grab)

According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

The house of a Sikh separatist, associated with pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a designated terrorist in India, has been hit by gunfire in Canada’s Ontario province, a media report said.

The incident comes just days after multiple shots were fired at the Surrey home of Simranjeet Singh — a “friend” of banned Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia last year.

According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday.

While no injuries were reported, the Peel Regional police could not rule out that more shots were fired at the house.

But they confirmed that a single bullet hole had been found with Constable Tyler Bell-Morena of Peel Regional Police saying it is “too early” to link the shooting to Gosal’s role in the Khalistan movement.

Gosal recently announced that a pro-Khalistan rally would be held outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on February 17.

According to the report, Gosal works closely with Pannun, who is the chief legal counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice and was the target of a foiled assassination bid in the US.

The shooting incidents come just as India and Canada accused each other of interfering in their “internal affairs”.

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in the killing Nijjar on Canadian soil in June last year.

India categorically denied the allegation levelled by Canadian agencies of “interference” as “absurd” and “motivated”.

Further, India said that it is Canada that has been interfering in India’s internal affairs. India has time and again asserted that the “core issue” with Canada is the space it gives to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements on its soil.

“It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

ALSO READ-US Withholds Discovery Material from Nikhil Gupta in Pannun Case

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Canadian parliamentarian to hold Sindhi Roundtable  

Jeremy Patzer Official Portrait / Portrait Officiel Ottawa, ONTARIO, Canada on 21 November, 2019. © HOC-CDC Credit: Mélanie Provencher, House of Commons Photo Services

In the recent past, the Sindhi language has also been facing multiple challenges in its land of origin, Sindh, in Pakistan, and the diaspora….reports Asian Lite News

Canadian lawmaker Jeremy Patzer will host the ‘Sindhi Roundtable’ in the Canadian Parliament on February 27, the Sindhi Foundation said in an official statement, adding that the event is aimed at promoting the Sindhi language.

As per the statement, the event will be organised on International Mother Language Day during the parliament session between 11 am and 1 pm (local time).

“This year, Patzer will host an event in the Parliament of Canada. Although International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21st each year, since the Canadian Parliament session will start in the following week, the Members of Parliament and Sindhi Community scheduled February 27th for an open discussion to strengthen the relationship of Canada and the Sindhis in Sindh (in Pakistan), as well as the diaspora. Language is the foundation and most prominent part of any culture,” the statement read.

According to the United Nations, “Every two weeks, a language disappears, taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. At least 43 per cent of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world”.

International Mother Language Day is observed every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

In the recent past, the Sindhi language has also been facing multiple challenges in its land of origin, Sindh, in Pakistan, and the diaspora.

Hence, the Sindhi Foundation persistently celebrates International Mother Language Day every year, the release informed, adding that other than language promotion, the event scheduled to be held on February 27 at the Canadian Parliament will help build strong relationships between Sindhis and Canadians.

“Time has come for the Canadian Consulate in Karachi and the High Commission in Islamabad to recognise the Sindhi language and provide services to Sindhis in their own native language,” Sufi Laghari, executive director of the Sindhi Foundation, was quoted as saying in the release.

“Time has come that the Canadian Consulate in Karachi and the High Commission in Islamabad must recognize the Sindhi language and provide services to Sindhis in their own native language,” Laghari added.

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in November 1999.

The idea to celebrate mother tongue was carried forward at the initiative of Bangladesh. And, the UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation on the day of its resolution in 2002. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India Denies Allegations, Accuses Canada of Interference

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-Top News India News

India rejects allegations of meddling in Canadian polls

Jaiswal further emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday rejected what it termed were the “baseless allegations” of Indian interference in Canadian elections, adding that it is Canada, who is interfering in our internal affairs.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday said that they have seen the media reports of the Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferences.

“We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, it is not govt of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries, in fact, quite on the reverse it is Canada, which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” he said.

Jaiswal further emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns.

“We have been raising this issue regularly with them, we continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns,” he stated.

As reported earlier, Canada’s federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference was looking to examine alleged meddling by India in the country’s last two general elections, Canada-based CTV News reported.

The commission, in a statement, said it has asked the federal government to produce documentation related to these allegations.

The statement signals the commission’s intention to probe any role India might have played in influencing the two ballots, as per CTV News.

The commission’s initial hearings will look at the challenges and limitations of disclosing classified national security information and intelligence to the public.

According to CTV News, an interim report from the commission is due on May 3, with a final report expected by the end of the year. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India Denies Allegations, Accuses Canada of Interference

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-Top News Canada India News

India Denies Allegations, Accuses Canada of Interference

India, Canada flag

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns….reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday rejected what it termed were the “baseless allegations” of Indian interference in Canadian elections, adding that it is Canada, who is interfering in our internal affairs.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday said that they have seen the media reports of the Canadian Commission inquiring into foreign interferences.

“We strongly reject such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections, it is not govt of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries, in fact, quite on the reverse it is Canada, which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” he said.

Jaiswal further emphasised that India continues to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns.

“We have been raising this issue regularly with them, we continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns,” he stated.

As reported earlier, Canada’s federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference was looking to examine alleged meddling by India in the country’s last two general elections, Canada-based CTV News reported.

The commission, in a statement, said it has asked the federal government to produce documentation related to these allegations.

The statement signals the commission’s intention to probe any role India might have played in influencing the two ballots, as per CTV News.

The commission’s initial hearings will look at the challenges and limitations of disclosing classified national security information and intelligence to the public.

According to CTV News, an interim report from the commission is due on May 3, with a final report expected by the end of the year. (ANI)

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Canada to sanction ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers, Hamas leaders

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly.(photo:wikipedia)

Melanie Joly said Canada remained dedicated to finding a way to end the fighting and work towards finding a long-term solution….reports Asian Lite News

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has said that Canada will impose sanctions on “extremist” Israeli settlers in the Palestinian territories and Hamas leaders, Canada-based CBC News reported.

In an interview on Rosemary Barton Live, Joly said the government was “actively working on it” on the decision while she was on a visit to Ukraine, where she held meetings with Ukrainian officials and visited sites impacted by the ongoing war.

Speaking to CBC chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Joly said, “We will be sanctioning extremist settlers and we will also bring new sanctions on Hamas leaders.

She said, “I’m making sure that while I’m in Ukraine, the work is being done in Ottawa and I look forward to doing announcements soon.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that Canada was considering the option of imposed restrictions on some Israelis living in illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Speaking to reporters after an event in Ontario’s Waterloo, Trudeau said, “Settler violence in the West Bank is absolutely unacceptable and puts at risk peace [and] stability in the region, and the path toward the two-state solution that is absolutely essential,” CBC News reported.

Melanie Joly said Canada remained dedicated to finding a way to end the fighting and work towards finding a long-term solution. She stressed that they need to ensure that Hamas lays down its arms and termed it the first step to getting on a path to have a longer truce.

She said, “First and foremost, we need to get the hostage deal. Hostages need to get back and be released. We need more humanitarian aid in Gaza,” CBC News reported.

Joly stated, “And we need to make sure that Hamas lays down its arms. And this is the first step to make sure that eventually we get to a path where we can have a longer truce, a sustainable ceasefire and eventually much more a path towards a two-state solution.”

Melanie Joly noted that both sides needed to make changes in their approach to make long-term peace possible. She said, “We need a reformed Palestinian Authority. We need also to have a government in Israel that is willing to do the important work to get to this two-state solution.”

Canada’s decision comes after the US last week announced a second round of sanctions against four individuals it accused of inciting and conducting violence against Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the West Bank.

In a statement, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, “Since October 7, the United States has issued five rounds of sanctions against Hamas, including the most recent round of sanctions against Hamas last week. President Biden has also spoken about his concern about the rise in violence that we have seen in the West Bank from extremist actors, in particular the rise in extremist settler violence, which reached record levels in 2023. “

“This violence poses a grave threat to peace, security and stability in the West Bank, Israel and the Middle East region, and threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States,” he added.

Violence in the Palestinian territories has witnessed a rise since the war started between Israel and Hamas. The war between Israel and Hamas began after the latter launched an attack on the former on October 7, where around 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 taken hostage.

According to CBC News report, Palestinian health officials said that more than 26,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Palestine since October 7. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nijjar’s Friend’s Home Attacked in Canada

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Canada India News

Nijjar’s Friend’s Home Attacked in Canada

No injuries were reported in the incident…reports Asian Lite News

Gunshots were fired at the house of a Sikh activist related to pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in the Canadian province of British Columbia last year.

No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred just after 1.:20 am on Thursday at a South Surrey home located near the 2800 block of 154 Street, the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said.

Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council identified the house owner as Simranjeet Singh, a friend of Nijjar, the CBC news channel reported.

He added that the overnight attack nearly claimed the life of Simranjeet’s six-year-old child.

According to CBC, a car was heavily damaged in gunfire, and there were multiple bullet holes in the house itself.

Investigators with the Surrey RCMP’s Major Crime Section “believe this was an isolated incident” but did not confirm how many shots were fired into the home.

Corporal Sarbjit Sangha said officers have spoken to the neighbours and witnesses, and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to find out more about the shooting.

“The investigation is in, still, very early stages so the motive of this shooting has not been determined as of this time,” Sangha told CBC News.

Moninder told the news channel that community members believe Simranjeet’s links with Nijjar might have played a part in the shooting.

He added that the shooting came just days after Simranjeet helped organise a pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian consulate in Vancouver on January 26.

According to Moninder, Simranjeet was in touch with the RCMP to report being followed after protests and fears for his life. He also said the shooting would not deter Simranjeet’s activism for a separate Sikh state.

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Canada’s politics gave space to extremism, says Jaishankar


Jaishankar criticised Canada’s political landscape, citing the infiltration of extremist elements as the primary reason for Canada’s recent actions toward India….reports Asian Lite News

Canada ignored India’s request for sharing information about any concerns they may have, and instead made allegations in public against India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told NDTV in an interview.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had kicked up a massive diplomatic row between the two countries over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Trudeau said was allegedly shot dead by “Indian government agents” outside a gurdwara in Surrey city.

Jaishankar faulted the condition of Canada’s politics in which extremist elements have got themselves embedded, as the major factor behind Canada’s recent behaviour towards India.

“Canada, for some years, has been giving space to extremists and terrorists in their politics. I believe this is a weakness in their politics. A lot of problems have happened there because of this. It should not have happened,” Jaishankar said.

“Their Prime Minister made an allegation against us in public. Before that, both Prime Ministers met, and I was also there. Our position then was that if there is anything in your mind that’s worrying you, any information you got, please tell us. Even if you don’t want to tell us everything, at least say something, so that we can investigate from our side,” he said.

“They did not share anything, but made allegations in public. In comparison, see the example of the US. The US told us that they have some information about criminals, and they will give us some information to look into from our side, and we will compare the information, investigate the matter,” the Eternal Affairs Minister said.

“Separatism, extremism, and violence have been given space in Canada’s politics. There is no such problem in the US. Yes, they have other issues, but there is a difference between Canada and the US in their politics, their approach, and how they handle bilateral relationships,” Mr Jaishankar said, referring to the row over an alleged plot to murder US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

India had rejected Trudeau’s allegation as “absurd”. Canada shared no specific information regarding its charges, India had said, flagging “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in that country.

ALSO READ: UK’s Trade Talks Pause Irks Canada

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India cooperating in Nijjar killing probe, says Canadian NSA

Thomas said that Canada has “made advancements in that relationship…reports Asian Lite News

Canada’s outgoing National Security Advisor Jody Thomas on Saturday emphasised that India is cooperating in the investigation of the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and called the changing relationship an “evolution”, as reported by Canada-based CTV News.

Thomas said that Canada has “made advancements in that relationship.”

In an interview with CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos which airs this Sunday, Thomas said that her discussions with her Indian counterpart have been fruitful.

“My discussions with my counterpart in India have been fruitful, and I think they’ve moved things forward,” she said.

In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had claimed that there were “credible allegations” that the Indian government may have been involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey in June 2023.

However, India denied the allegations as absurd and motivated. Following that relations between India and Canada have been strained

In December last year Justin Trudeau said that he had made the allegations public as he expected the information to be leaked.

Later in December, in a parallel development, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun.

The Justice Department claimed that an Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors. Gupta is currently in custody and has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

In its response India said it would cooperate with the United States in this probe.

When asked by CTV news whether Canada’s improved relationship with India was a result of the US indictment, outgoing NSA Jody Thomas said “The two are connected for sure.”

“The information that they revealed supported our position and our assertions with India. India is working with us, and my counterpart, in particular, far more closely to resolve this,” said Thomas.

In December, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had also said that he believes India’s relations with Canada may have undergone “a tonal shift” in the days since the unsealing of the US indictment. (ANI)

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UK’s Trade Talks Pause Irks Canada

Talks are also faltering on drafting new rules for automotive trade between the two countries…reports Asian Lite News

Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has expressed disappointment over the UK’s decision to pause the bilateral free trade talks.

Talking to reporters, Ng said she is “very confident” that the two sides will get back to the table, Xinhua news agency reported.

“I would encourage my colleagues in the United Kingdom to get back to the table because negotiating is how we get a deal,” she said.

Earlier on Tuesday a British government spokesperson said in a statement that they reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made, adding that they will remain open to restarting talks with Canada in the future.

According to CBC News, a major sticking point between the two sides remains how much tariff-free access British producers should have to the Canadian cheese market. Canadian dairy farmers want to keep their supply-managed and heavily protected sector out of this deal.

Talks are also faltering on drafting new rules for automotive trade between the two countries, CBC News said.

Britain is Canada’s third-largest trading partner. The two commonwealth nations started free trade negotiation in 2022 and eight rounds of talks have been completed since then.

ALSO READ: UK halts trade negotiations with Canada

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UK halts trade negotiations with Canada

Before Britain left the EU at the end of 2020, Canada rolled over existing trade arrangements to ensure free trade could continue….reports Asian Lite News

Britain has suspended talks on a free trade deal with Canada amid unhappiness on both sides about the lack of access to agricultural markets, Canadian officials said.

The talks – which started in March 2022 – are among a number of negotiations Britain has launched around the world in the wake of its decision to leave the European Union, which excluded it from existing EU free trade deals.

“We are disappointed that negotiations with the UK are being paused. Their decision to continue to maintain market access barriers for our agriculture industry and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations,” said a spokesperson for Canadian trade minister Mary Ng.

Ng has contacted British business minister Kemi Badenoch to express Canada’s disappointment, the spokesperson added. Canadian farmers complain they have been effectively shut out of the British beef market because of regulations banning the use of hormones.

In a statement posted on X, a British government spokesperson said “we reserve the right to pause negotiations with any country if progress is not being made”.

Before Britain left the EU at the end of 2020, Canada rolled over existing trade arrangements to ensure free trade could continue.

One particular arrangement dealing with cheese access has now expired and a Canadian government official blamed Britain for the lack of an extension deal.

“Unfortunately, Britain did not act as fast as it should have in negotiations, and expects Canada to just give [it] these things,” an official told the Reuters news agency.

Both sides said they were ready to resume talks. According to official British data, total bilateral trade in goods and services was £25.9bn in the year ending 30 June 2023, when Canada was Britain’s 18th largest trading partner.

According to Canadian data, bilateral trade with Britain in 2022 accounted for just 2.7% of its total.

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