Trudge The Grudge, Tut-tut Trudeau
“If you are talking about reputational issues and reputational damage, if there's any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organised crime." Spokesperson, External Affairs Ministry
In the realm of international diplomacy, maintaining decorum, respect, and evidence-based discourse is imperative. Sadly, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent actions have thrown these principles to the wind. Accusing a democratic nation like India, that has been a victim of domestic terrorist for decades, of a heinous crime without a shred of evidence is not just unreasonable; it's an affront to diplomacy itself. Trudeau's reckless actions have led us to question whether Canada has lost its way in the world, seeking attention through baseless accusations rather than constructive engagement.
The Indian government's response has been clear and forthright, highlighting Canada's growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. Trudeau's reliance on media leaks instead of credible evidence only adds to the murkiness surrounding this issue. Is Trudeau pandering to his political base, the Pro-Khalistanis, at the cost of fueling terror and providing shelter to domestic terror forces? Has Canada lost its plot in its relevance to the world ? Is this Trudeau’s sulking for not getting any attention in the G20 summit recently ?
In 1982, the Indian government approached the Canadian administration led by Pierre Trudeau (father of the current Canadian Prime Minister) regarding the extradition of Talwinder Singh Parmar. Parmar was a co-founder of the Khalistani militant group Babar Khalsa and a criminal responsible for the tragic deaths of two police officers in India. However, Canadian officials at the time conveyed to New Delhi that they couldn't facilitate Parmar's extradition. He was permitted to stay in Canada, and the Babar Khalsa organisation subsequently extended its influence within the country. By 1984, associates of Parmar were openly advocating for the death of '50,000 Hindus' during the inaugural convention of the World Sikh Organisation. The Khalistani separatists bombed Air India Flight 182, marking one of the most tragic acts of aviation-related terrorism in history until the 9/11 attacks. This heinous act claimed the lives of all 329 passengers on board. Shockingly, subsequent reports revealed that Canadian authorities had received prior intelligence about the plot but had failed to act on this crucial information in a timely manner.
After Operation Blue in 1984 and the subsequent communal riots, a significant number of Khalistani sympathisers and activists sought refuge abroad, joining the already established Sikh diaspora that had been growing since the early 20th century. This migration reshaped the Khalistan issue, as elements within the diaspora sustained the separatist movement even when it had been largely quelled within India. Regrettably, the Trudeau government has shown ineffectiveness in addressing India's concerns on this matter. Notably, Trudeau's ex-wife was photographed meeting a known Khalistani activist. The issue of Khalistani support and shelter in Canada has long strained India-Canada relations, and Trudeau's recent allegations exacerbate the situation. Trudeau's alignment with parties sympathetic to the Khalistan movement raises questions about the future of India-Canada relations. Will this influence persist, or is it a short-lived phenomenon tied to Trudeau's political career?
As the diplomatic row persists, Trudeau's political rival, Pierre Poilievre, has gained popularity in Canada. According to the survey conducted by Ipsos between September 15 to 18, 2023, on behalf of Global News, Pierre Poilievre's popularity has seen a notable increase of five percentage points, reaching an acceptability rate of 40 percent as the preferred candidate for the highest office. In contrast, Trudeau finds himself in the second position with a 31 percent support rate. This data raises pertinent questions: Is Trudeau's recent behaviour a strategic move to regain domestic attention and bolster his political career? Or is it an attempt to secure stronger backing from the substantial Sikh community, which has historically supported his party? As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party face a diminishing hold on power, they have increasingly turned to smaller parties such as the New Democratic Party, led by Jagmeet Singh Dhaliwal, a known sympathiser of the Khalistan movement.
Meanwhile, the global Big Brother had to speak. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Adviser, expressed deep concern and a resolute commitment to ensure that the investigation proceeds and the wrongdoers face justice. He stressed that the United States remains unwavering in its interest in this case, firmly believing in the importance of its relationship with India, a vibrant democracy. He declared, "We take this matter seriously, and our dedication to it transcends borders. There are no special exemptions for such actions, and we will steadfastly defend our core principles, regardless of the nation involved."
“Special exemptions”. Is that familiar ? An act that the US has got away with, many times, in many countries. It is actually hilarious to see the double standards that the US plays here, and openly. It has been invading various countries, and doing ‘strike attacks’ globally in other nations, to kill those in the US crime hit lists. Where was ‘special exemption’ or ‘sovereignty’ in those attacks ? It's indeed ironic to witness the United States preaching principles while engaging in military actions that often disregard sovereignty. The double standards on display are hard to ignore.
The biased narrative often perpetuated by Western media tends to overlook the grim reality of domestic terrorism that India has grappled with for decades. The painful memories of the Khalistani insurgency in Punjab during the late 1970s and early 1980s still haunt the collective consciousness of the nation. India had to respond resolutely, deploying its armed forces to quell the violence and restore peace. Yet, these same Western nations, quick to comment on global events, often fail to acknowledge the suffering India endured during those dark times. It's a stark reminder that the voices of those who have endured domestic terrorism for generations deserve equal attention and empathy on the global stage.
India should remain resolute in pursuing this matter to its conclusion, not only to set the record straight against the biased Western narrative but also to send a clear message to nations providing refuge to terrorists who hurt it’s safe sovereignty. It's imperative to ensure that those countries that claim to uphold principles of justice and global security are held accountable for their actions. In these turbulent times, when global cooperation is essential, Trudeau's actions risk sowing discord and mistrust. The world watches, and it's in the best interest of both Canada and India to repair these diplomatic ties for the sake of peace, stability, and global progress.
Why would this not impact investments and trade in India-Canada corridor? Canadian investments in India, particularly those managed by pension funds, are guided by long-term strategies, focusing on India's promising growth prospects and its burgeoning consumer market. As much as India needs funding, those investors need market access to India. Additionally, the rationality of investors and businesses often prevails over transient political tensions
Dr. Srinath Sridharan - Author, Policy Researcher & Corporate advisor
X : @ssmumbai
