Change in Canadian PM Would Automatically Resolve Issues With India: Expert

The ties between India and Canada, which got strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian government was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, would improve only after “someone else takes over as prime minister of Canada”, feels G. Parthasarathy, a former Indian diplomat.

“His father Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who also served as prime minister twice – once from 1968 to 1979 and then from 1980 to 1984, was also dependent on Khalistanis residing in Canada,” Parthasarathy, the highly experienced former emissary who has served in several countries, told Sputnik India.

On being asked what could be done to improve the stained relationship between the two countries, he said “there’s nothing that could be done as India-Canada relations would improve soon after he (Justin Trudeau) leaves”.

“He is following his father, who too used to support Khalistanis,” Parthasarathy stressed, adding that the father and the son duo pushed themselves into a situation of dependence, dependence on Khalistanis.

Parthasarathy believed Justin Trudeau would lose the next election.

“He will not make it again and the moment he leaves, the relation between India and Canada would be restored almost automatically,” he said, adding that “Justin’s excessive dependence on Khalistani votes has led to the present situation”.

Diplomatic Row Between India and Canada

In September this year, Canada levelled allegation of India being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which was rejected by India saying it is "absurd and motivated”.

The incident followed tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats from both the countries.

India also temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.

Earlier this month, Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, urged Canada to release evidence backing up its allegation regarding the killing of the Khalistani terrorist.

He reportedly said that India has not been shown concrete evidence by Canada or its allies about India's alleged involvement in the Nijjar killing.

As the controversy goes on, India also said that repeated requests have been made in the past five to six years to extradite people from Canada to India, but nothing has been done in this regard.

Canada-based designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, also the founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), last week issued a threat to blow off Air India, the official Indian airline, flights.

"We are asking the Sikh people not to fly via Air India. From November 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India won't be allowed to operate. Sikh people don't travel by Air India after November 19. Your life can be in danger," Pannun was seen as saying in a video that was circulated on social media.

He also said that Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport would be forced to shut down on 19 November, and the same would be renamed when Punjab, which the Kahalistanis wish to make a separate country for Sikhs, was ‘liberated’.

Keeping the threats in mind, the authorities have asked Canada to enhance security for Air India flights.

“We shall take up the threat against Air India flights originating from and terminating in Canada, with the concerned Canadian authorities,” Sanjay Kumar Verma, Indian Ambassador to Canada, was quoted in reports as saying.

Air India operates multiple flights per week from Delhi to Vancouver and Toronto.

India resumed partial visa services for Canadians from 26 October.

Canada's Economy to Suffer Over Suspension of Free-Trade Talks With India: Union Minister

5 November 2023, 11:51

Changing Canadian PM Would Resolve Issues with India: Expert

Diplomatic Row Between India and Canada