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India-Canada relations fall prey to Trudeau’s quest for self-interest

opinionIndia-Canada relations fall prey to Trudeau’s quest for self-interest

Once lauded for its freedom, openness, and progressive values, Canada, under Justin Trudeau, has become its own antithesis.

The recent allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India smacks of the arrogance that the Western countries have all the right to truth. This a false sense of superiority and it looks like they would do anything to support terrorists who are openly targeting another sovereign state. It’s official, India-Canada relations have hit the lowest point ever since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1949. Once lauded for its freedom, openness, and progressive values, Canada, under Justin Trudeau, has become its own antithesis; and Indo-Canadian relations are a casualty of Trudeau’s quest for self-interest. Moreover, his flirtation with the Khalistan movement has put the lives of civilians, both Canadians and Indians in Canada, in jeopardy and changed the trajectory.

LITANY OF DIPLOMATIC MISSTEPS
The diplomatic strain between India and Canada has been simmering for some time, but it escalated sharply when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau overstepped diplomatic norms by commenting on the farmers’ protests in India. Last year, the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada escalated the crisis, which has only worsened over the past year. The Trudeau government’s response to the incident is the best illustration of an unprofessional and inflammatory campaign against Indian officials, pushing baseless allegations of Indian involvement in the murder. Instead of following established diplomatic protocols, Trudeau has relied on media sound bites and verbal accusations to stir the pot, damaging relations irreparably.
India’s response last week underscored the severity of the situation. By withdrawing its high commissioner and several diplomats from Canada, India sent a strong message to the world. Citing concerns about the “atmosphere of extremism and violence” in Canada, the Indian government made it clear that it no longer trusted the Trudeau administration to protect its diplomats. Such a blunt statement is rare in the diplomatic world, where decorum and understatement are the norms. The fact that India felt compelled to take such a drastic step speaks volumes about the depth of the current crisis.
Moreover, one must not forget Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India, marred by controversy and scandal. During this trip, Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist, received an invite to a reception that was to be hosted by the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. Atwal had been convicted for the attempted murder of an Indian cabinet minister in 1986. For decades, Atwal is known to be a supporter of the Khalistani separatist movement, a cause that has long stirred tensions between India and Canada. His close relationship with Trudeau’s Liberal Party only fuelled the fire. Photos of Atwal with Trudeau’s wife surfaced in the media, causing a major embarrassment for the Canadian government, but the damage to bilateral ties had been done. Such incident was not an isolated one. It exposed a more profound issue within Trudeau’s government—its dangerous leniency towards extremist elements operating within Canada’s borders. Trudeau’s courting of Khalistani votes for political gain has emboldened these groups, many of whom continue to push for a separate Sikh state, a movement that India views as a direct threat to its sovereignty.

WEAK AND DISASTROUS LEADERSHIP
Trudeau’s political missteps are emblematic of a broader issue: his weak leadership and governance. Under his watch, Canada has seen a sharp rise in violent crime, a symptom of his government’s failure to maintain law and order. According to Statistics Canada, the country’s Crime Severity Index has risen by 33% since Trudeau took office in 2015. Violent crimes like assault, robbery, and extortion have surged, while homicides increased by 45% between 2015 and 2022. Canada has given sanctuary to all types of drug smugglers, criminals and terrorists. Canada has become a haven for narco-terrorists that daily target Indians and India. They are encouraging Hinduphobia.
These alarming statistics also reflect Canada’s broader erosion of law enforcement and public safety. Organized crime, including groups linked to the Khalistani separatist movement, has flourished under Trudeau’s leadership. The rise of narco-terrorism linked to these groups poses a significant threat not only to Canada’s national security but also to its international reputation. Trudeau’s focus on ideological issues and divisive politics has left his government unable to tackle these pressing domestic problems, leading to a breakdown in governance. Trudeau’s recent comments in the media, accusing the Indian government of interfering in Canada’s sovereignty, are a desperate attempt to deflect blame for his own failings. His verbal gymnastics may play well to his base, but they do little to address the underlying issues that have caused this diplomatic crisis. The reality is that Trudeau’s weak leadership is responsible for Canada’s current state of disarray, both domestically and internationally.

WORLD REACTS
Despite Trudeau’s failings, Canada has received backing from its traditional allies, particularly the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. These countries have supported Canada’s stance, with the UK government offering explicit backing last week. This support underscores the geopolitical complexities of the situation and the challenge India faces in countering a coalition of powerful Western nations. The Five Eyes alliance, long a cornerstone of Western intelligence sharing, has rallied behind Trudeau despite the lack of concrete evidence in his claims against India. This collective support from Anglophone nations highlights the intricate dynamics of global politics, where alliances often trump the merits of individual cases. For India, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of power and influence in international relations.
India, for its part, has responded with a measured yet assertive stance. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, speaking at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), emphasized India’s growing role on the global stage and its commitment to defending its national interests. He made it clear that India would not be cowed down by smear campaigns or ideological posturing from Western powers. Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a broader shift in India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing self-reliance and assertiveness in the face of external pressures. India’s rise as a global power is economic and diplomatic, as it positions itself as a formidable force capable of standing up to bullying from other nations. India’s commitment to the rule of law starkly contrasts the shifting ideological stances of countries like Canada. While Trudeau’s government moves the goalposts to suit its political agenda, India remains steadfast in its principles, defending its sovereignty and rejecting foreign interference in its internal affairs.

CONCLUSION
India is no longer a rule taker but a rule shaper. Canada is being arrogant. It is refusing to punish any terrorist whom India has named and given the evidence since the bombing of Kanishka. Is Canada saying that their intelligence is superior to Indian evidence? This smacks of arrogance and has a false sense of superiority. It is Canadian citizens who are terrorists and Canada refuses to make this difference. Canada uses terrorism as an instrument of domestic politics and disastrous populism that has severely damaged its foreign relations with a strategic power like India.
* Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit is the VC of JNU.

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