Tensions between India and Canada have hit an all-time low after Ottawa accused the Indian government of using criminal gangs to kill Khalistani extremists on Canadian soil. These accusations have stirred up a lot of controversy, especially because they involve sensitive political issues in both countries.
What is the Khalistan Movement?
Khalistan is a movement that seeks to create a separate homeland for Sikhs in the Indian state of Punjab. Although this idea has very little support in India, some groups in Canada are actively pushing for it. These pro-Khalistan activists have been a source of tension between India and Canada for years.
Canada’s Bold Accusations
Recently, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, accused India of being involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani supporter and terrorist in India, who was shot near his home in Vancouver last year. Trudeau claimed that Indian agents played a role in the killing, sparking a political firestorm.
However, Indian officials, including Colonel (Retired) Jaibans Singh, a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, have denied any involvement. Singh argues that Canada is making these claims to distract from its own domestic issues, particularly Trudeau’s declining political situation. He believes that once Trudeau is out of office, this issue will fade away.
Trudeau’s Political Gamble
Trudeau’s government is facing many challenges. His party lost its majority in the Canadian Parliament, and he’s now relying on support from the New Democratic Party (NDP) to stay in power. According to experts like Chintamani Mahapatra, a professor from Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, Trudeau is using the Khalistan issue to win over certain voter groups and keep his fragile government afloat. He is accused of playing a political game by blaming India for the killing of Nijjar, despite lacking strong evidence.
Mahapatra also points out that a Khalistan lobby, which has influence over Canadian politics, is driving some of Trudeau’s decisions. The Khalistani extremists, he says, have found a safe haven in Canada and are being protected by the Canadian government because they don’t pose a direct threat to Canada itself. However, their actions target India, which is where the real problem lies.
Creating a “Frankenstein Monster”
Colonel Jaibans Singh warns that by allowing Khalistani extremists to operate freely, Canada is essentially “creating a Frankenstein monster.” This metaphor refers to the danger of allowing these groups to grow unchecked, suggesting that they could eventually turn on Canada itself. Singh argues that Canada is using these radicals for political gain, but this strategy could backfire and harm the country in the long run.
The Money Behind Khalistan
According to Singh, the Khalistan movement is being fueled by two key factors: money and manipulation. First, it receives financial support from foreign powers that want to destabilize India. These powers encourage the movement to keep tension high in Punjab and embarrass India on the global stage. Second, many Sikhs living abroad are being misled into believing that creating Khalistan is possible. These overseas supporters are often used as a source of funding, keeping the movement alive even though it has almost no support in India itself.
The Bigger Picture: Western Politics
Gulrez Sheikh, a BJP spokesperson and strategic affairs expert, believes that Canada’s actions are part of a larger pattern of Western countries trying to undermine the rise of nations in the Global South, like India. He compares it to modern-day imperialism, where powerful countries use political tactics to destabilize growing nations. Sheikh argues that the West has a history of creating unrest in countries under the guise of supporting democracy or human rights, but rarely backs these claims with solid evidence.
In this case, Sheikh says, Trudeau is playing the same old game by accusing India of human rights violations and political meddling without providing clear proof. This, he argues, is part of a broader effort to slow down India’s rise as a major global power.
What’s Next for India-Canada Relations?
The current conflict between India and Canada shows no signs of easing up. India has called on Canada to take stronger action against Khalistani extremists living there, while Canada continues to stand by its accusations. The situation is complicated by Trudeau’s domestic political struggles and the influence of the Khalistan lobby in Canada.
As long as political motives and extremist agendas continue to drive the narrative, the chances of mending ties between the two nations remain slim. Trudeau’s government is playing a dangerous game, and whether it will succeed or backfire remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the longer this dispute drags on, the more damage it could do—not just to India and Canada’s relationship, but to Canada itself.
