Khalistan Issue: India’s Top Diplomat in Canada Spells Out New Delhi’s ‘Red Lines’
13:40 08.05.2024 (Updated: 13:54 08.05.2024)
© COLE BURSTONDemonstrators gather in support of Khalistan, an advocated independent Sikh homeland, during a Sikh rally outside the Consulate General of India, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 25, 2023, following the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
© COLE BURSTON
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Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has suffered a setback after Canadian investigators refused to back his claim that Indian-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was allegedely gunned down by "Indian agents" last June.
High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma has underlined Canada's “lack of understanding” about New Delhi’s concerns over a “decades-old issue (Khalistan) that has re-emerged" on foreign soil”.
“Unfortunately, there have been issues. This is nothing new. Decades-old issue which have resurfaced, re-emerged and there have been unfortunate crimes… Those Canadian citizens having their origin in India, India doesn’t have dual nationality, so therefore they are foreigners,” Verma said during a discussion at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday.
Verma described the Khalistan issue as a “big red line for India”.
“Now, foreigners having, if I may call it evil eye, on the territorial integrity of India. That is a big red line for us. Indians will decide what will happen to India, Indian will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners,” stated the top Indian diplomat in Canada.
Verma stressed that if those living overseas were interested in deciding the "fate of India", they should return to India and "participate in the election process".
“As far as I am concerned, my concern is national security, threats emanating from the land of Canada. These threats are largely emanating from Canadian sections. So, these two are my red lines,” the High Commissioner asserted.
India Slams 'Violent Imagery' Against PM Modi
Verma's remarks came hours after India strongly protested a float at a 'Nagar Kirtan' procession in Ontario over weekend depicted Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind bars.
The Sikh procession was infiltrated by pro-Khalistan elements, with designated terrorists attending the parade which also witnessed the presence of Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.
“Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilized society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Tuesday evening, expressing strong concerns over the “violent imagery” against Indian political leadership.
“We again call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in Canada.,” the MEA spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said that New Delhi continued to remain concerned about the "security" of its diplomatic representatives in Canada, noting that there were posters of Indian diplomats put out across Canada "threatening violence against them".
Canada Reiterates Charges Against India Despite Lack of Evidence
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly reiterated that Ottawa stood by its allegations that Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed by Indian "agents" last June.
Joly said that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was investigating the case. The RCMP, which has arrested three Indian student-visa holders in connection with the Nijjar probe, has refused to state if they were associated with the Indian government.
"We are making sure that we also protect our sovereignty, and in the end, we need to protect our rule of law," Joly remarked.