https://sputniknews.in/20230923/india-and-mossad-parallels-inappropriate-amid-canada-row-expert-says-4389520.html
India and Mossad Parallels Inappropriate Amid Canada Row, Expert Says
India and Mossad Parallels Inappropriate Amid Canada Row, Expert Says
Sputnik India
A former Indian Ambassador has expressed “deep concern” about the “emerging media narrative” on the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
2023-09-23T15:11+0530
2023-09-23T15:11+0530
2023-09-23T15:11+0530
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A former Indian ambassador has expressed deep concern about the “emerging media narrative” on the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.Talmiz Ahmad previously served as India's envoy to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He told Sputnik India that several news reports - as well as several prime-time debates on Indian television - have sought to convey the impression that Delhi's spy agency's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been replicating the Israeli secret service, the Mossad, in executing extra-territorial killings.He remarked that the “triumphalism” in sections of Indian media was hurting India’s “official stance” on the issue.“We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law,” the MEA has said.On Thursday, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi described these charges as “prejudiced”.‘RAW, the New Mossad?’Ahmad cited a news column carried by one of the biggest Indian media groups to press his point.The news piece notes that at least 15 of India’s “avowed enemies have been killed in their safe havens overseas” since 2019, implying that it could possibly be New Delhi’s response to “external threats."Another major Indian news channel featured Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and a pro-Khalistan activist designated a terrorist under Indian law, on its prime-time show this week.Pannun, based out of either US or Canada, has issued a video appeal this week, urging all Hindus to leave Canada amid soaring diplomatic tensions with Delhi.In the wake of Pannu’s appearance, concerns have been expressed in India that it allowed him to reach his “silent supporters” in India.The prime-time appearance of Pannun forced India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to issue a terse advisory that asks TV channels to refrain from providing platforms to people accused of inciting terrorism.India is Not IsraelAhmad rejected any parallels between India and Israel.He reckoned that in spite of growing strategic ties with the US, India wasn’t in the “same league” as Israel for Washington’s policy-makers.Ahmad said that if media reports were any barometer, the Indian authorities were seemingly taking a leaf out of Israel’s playbook, which was to deny such charges publicly but indicate a “fingerprint through systematic leakages”.‘US Fully Backs Canada Against India’Significantly, the White House has thrown its weight behind Canada in the spat with India. US NSA Jake Sullivan has said that the Biden administration wont allow a “special exemption” for India on the matter.Citing media reports, Ahmad said that not only the US, but the Five Eyes (FVEY) Network allies—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and the US—have been coordinating closely on the matter.This could have implications regarding Washington's overtures to Delhi to join forces to counter Beijing, he added.He however added that the stance of US was “irrelevant” on the matter as of now.
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India and Mossad Parallels Inappropriate Amid Canada Row, Expert Says
Canada's PM has said he has "credible reasons" to believe that Delhi's "agents" were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Singh Nijar has been designated a terrorist in India.
A former Indian ambassador has expressed deep concern about the “emerging media narrative” on the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Talmiz Ahmad previously served as India's envoy to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He told Sputnik India that several news reports - as well as several prime-time debates on Indian television - have sought to convey the impression that Delhi's spy agency's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been replicating the Israeli secret service, the Mossad, in executing extra-territorial killings.
“If the right-wing media is indicating that we are carrying out killings overseas, it is actually affecting the credibility of the official Indian stance, or the statements made at the highest level,” stated the ambassador.
He remarked that the “triumphalism” in sections of Indian media was hurting India’s “official stance” on the issue.
“On the one hand, the MEA [Foreign Ministry] has rejected Canada’s allegation as absurd. However, there indeed is an element of triumphalism over the whole episode in sections of right-wing media,” noted Ahmad.
“We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law,” the MEA has said.
On Thursday, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi described these charges as
“prejudiced”.
“If we profess our commitment to the rule of law, there shouldn’t have been any triumphalism in our discourse,” Ahmad remarked.
Ahmad cited a news column carried by one of the biggest Indian media groups to press his point.
The article in question calls the RAW the “new Mossad”, adding that New Delhi’s image has turned from a “soft state to a hard one” under Prime Minister Modi and his National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The news piece notes that at least 15 of India’s “avowed enemies have been killed in their safe havens overseas” since 2019, implying that it could possibly be New Delhi’s response to “external threats."
Further, the column insinuates that the alleged “covert action” could be part of NSA Doval’s “defensive offense doctrine”. In the words of the Indian NSA - who is portrayed as ‘James Bond’ by many Indian news channels - defensive offense is essentially “when you go and attack the place where the offense is coming from."
Another major Indian news channel featured Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and a pro-Khalistan activist designated a terrorist under Indian law, on its prime-time show this week.
Pannun, based out of either US or Canada, has issued a video appeal this week, urging all Hindus to leave Canada amid soaring diplomatic tensions with Delhi.
In the wake of Pannu’s appearance, concerns have been expressed in India that it allowed him to reach his “silent supporters” in India.
The prime-time appearance of Pannun forced India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to issue a terse advisory that asks TV channels to refrain from providing platforms to people accused of inciting terrorism.
“During the discussion, the person had made several comments which are detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also have the potential of disturbing public order in the country,” the advisory read.
Ahmad rejected any parallels between India and Israel.
“To be honest, we are not Israel. Israel has for long been pursuing a policy of getting its enemies killed in foreign countries. They have all throughout enjoyed the support of the United States, so their extraterritorial killings have never been condemned by the Americans,” the former ambassador explained.
He reckoned that in spite of growing strategic ties with the US, India wasn’t in the “same league” as Israel for Washington’s policy-makers.
Ahmad said that if media reports were any barometer, the Indian authorities were seemingly taking a leaf out of Israel’s playbook, which was to deny such charges publicly but indicate a “fingerprint through systematic leakages”.
“This whole emerging narrative has electoral implications, as it tends to portray a tough Indian nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But, at the same time, this media narrative confuses the official Indian line and challenges the official narrative,” Ahmad suggested.
‘US Fully Backs Canada Against India’
Significantly, the White House has
thrown its weight behind Canada in the spat with India. US NSA Jake Sullivan has said that the Biden administration wont allow a “special exemption” for India on the matter.
Citing media reports, Ahmad said that not only the US, but the Five Eyes (FVEY) Network allies—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and the US—have been coordinating closely on the matter.
As reported by Canada’s state broadcaster on Thursday, Ottawa's security agencies possess both human and signals intelligence which points to New Delhi’s role in Nijjar’s killing. The report claimed that signals intelligence came from a FVEY Network ally.
This could have implications regarding Washington's overtures to Delhi to join forces to counter Beijing, he added.
“As we all know, the Americans are very keen to get India on board into some sort of a treaty framework against China. India has so far resisted these overtures because we assert our strategic autonomy,” Ahmad opined.
He however added that the stance of US was “irrelevant” on the matter as of now.
“The larger issue involved is that Canada’s allegations could hurt India’s global image,” the ex-diplomat expressed concern.
