‘There are Khalistanists in Canada’, Trudeau’s tone is soft amid tensions
Last Updated on November 11, 2024 5:12 am
India alleges that Khalistanists are carrying out separatist activities against Delhi sitting in Canada. Canada has never admitted this allegation. This time, a different tone is heard from the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about Khalistanists.
India-Canada relations have been at their lowest point since the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. After this, Trudeau’s various comments about this murder further strained the relations between the two countries. In the meantime, in the past few days, both countries have expelled six diplomats from each other.
On Sunday, Khalistanists attacked Hindu devotees at a temple in Canada. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the incident as a ‘cowardly attack’. After this, a different tone was heard from Trudeau about Khalistanists.
Just a day later, on Monday, at the Diwali celebrations held in the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau said, “There is no place for violence, intolerance, intimidation and division in this country. People of different communities live here. We always encourage them to respect their culture. There are many supporters of Khalistanis in Canada. But they do not represent the Sikh community. There are also many supporters of the Modi government in Canada. But they do not represent the Hindus living in Canada as a whole.”
Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Modi wrote on his X handle, “I strongly condemn the attack on the Hindu temple in Canada. It is a cowardly act to intimidate our diplomats through this attack. India’s resolve cannot be weakened in this way. We hope that the Canadian government will take swift action to punish the culprits. Will ensure the rule of law.’
It is worth noting that diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been tense since Trudeau accused Indian agents of killing Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar during his speech in the Canadian Parliament in September last year. India has strongly denied the allegations, saying that Canada’s allegations have not been substantiated by any credible source.
India claims that Trudeau is speaking out for Khalistan supporters in Canada for his political reasons. Elections are scheduled to be held in Canada in October 2025 and Trudeau wants the Sikh community living in Canada to support him.