Fissure in relation between India and Canada over Khalistan

Introduction:

    Relation between India and Canada started to fissure after a serious allegation kept by the Canadian prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the killing of the Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia outside a Sikh Temple.

Fuelling the allegation that he also added that it was done by the Indian agents in his country’s soil, intel shared from Five Eyes(FVEY) which US envoy confirms. Australia's domestic intelligence chief has said he has "no reason to dispute" Canada's claims. Also when asked about whether Australia would be the next for Indian Agents, Burgess said speculation is not appropriate to be answered.

Nijjar was designated as terrorist by India who constantly accused Ottawa for giving safe haven to Khalistani terrorists and extremists.  Following which India just not only reacted “absurd” but also took retaliative actions for the allegation put forth by the Prime Minister of Canada. 

Decades gone fighting for a Soveriegn State:

   The fifth largest religion followed around the world with around 30 million adherents, who are sikhs. The demand for a sovereign state for them started even before independence during 1940 when British partitioned India and created Pakistan.

Though Sikhs constitute a majority in Punjab they form minority in India with only 2 per cent of the population. This demand for Khalistan, meaning “the land of the pure” to be carved out of Punjab surfaced many times which dominated the Indian political scenario, prominently during violent insurgency in the 1970 and 1980.

Then Prime minister Indhira Ghandhi ordered “Operation Blue Star” in 1984 to remove their leader Jarnail Sing Bhindranwale and his armed followers from the buildings of Golden Temple. The raid inside a religious place of importance by militants created furious among Sikhs. In retaliation to Operation Blue Star Indira Ghandhi was assassinated by her own guards Satwant singh and Beant Singh both Sikhs. 

The assassination triggered Anti-Sikh riots across North India. Many Sikhs fled out the country and cluster settled largely in Canada, UK, US and Australia, among which Canada is the home to the largest Sikh population outside Punjab constituting 2 per cent of Canada’s population. 

India Rejects allegations:

   On Sepeptember 19, 2023 Ministry of External Affairs rejected the statement by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and their Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in their Parliament. Also criticised the space given by Canada to a range of illegal activities including murder, human trafficking and organised crimes saying that they were not new in their country and also urged the government to take effective action against the anti-India elements operating from their soil. 

   Meanwhile Canada had relocated 41 Diplomats including dependants from India, claiming that move was taken after Delhi threatened to withdraw their diplomatic immunity if they didn’t leave before October 10 and exclaimed that it was “unreasonable and escalatory” violating the Vienna Conventions on diplomatic relations which India denies no such violations are done and complies to Article 2 of Vienna Conventions.

It was further criticised that Sikh being the major player of vote bank in Canada, the matter had been politically shaped to suit it.  A large number of Canadian diplomats left India Overnight fearing imprisonment and prosecution. 

    India retaliates by suspending visas for Canadians. To maintain ‘parity’ India requested Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence and make it equal to India. Canada has halted consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bangalore slowing down the processing of visas and immigration, keeping the consular service in New Delhi still active.

This results in backlog of 17500 Visa and immigration applications which should be processed with December. UK and US have urged New Delhi not to reduce its diplomatic presence and the murder probe should be done in cooperation with India and Canada. 

Bilateral Trade Relationship:

     In 2022 Canada and India reached $8 billion in Bilateral Trade. Canada had invested more that 3.6 billion India with over 40% of it being in services and infrastructure, according to Invest India. Though there are diplomatic disputes India has no plans to stop the import and export business with Canada or any other Investment. India exports garments, auto parts, aircraft equipment, and electronic items while importing lentils, coal, briquette from Canada. 

    The diplomatic mission between these countries is fissured by the issue.  Canadian prime minister expressed that Indian Government is making is complex for the people and students waiting for Visas and immigration. 40% of the Global students holding student visa were from India. 

 Conclusion:

    Post World War 2 , the Second Generation Human Rights earned great prominence during twentieth century. Its importance of Economical, Social, Cultural rights valued high due to its impact globally. Respect to any traditon or culture should be served no matter of its plat area being minority or majority. Diversified ethnic groups have distinctive modules of evolved socio economic activities all around the globe.

The word “Peoples” mentions such diversified ethnic groups with different customs of beliefs, though already “people” meant plural. Some groups who consistently fight for such freedom and a homeland to say are Srilankan Tamils. Living in diaspora with challenging situations away from their country is unimaginable to think.