Prime Minister Modi has urged Canadian authorities to act decisively against pro-Khalistan elements operating in Canada.
A flare-up of trouble regarding the handling of anti-India activities in Canada has strained diplomatic relations quite a pinch. The attack that began this whole spat is said to have occurred at a Hindu temple outside of Brampton, Ontario, with great devastation, perpetrated by pro-Khalistan groups. It is also yet another incident within a growing tide of anti-India sentiments in Canada, including desecration of temples and the display of anti-India graffiti, all of which had caused much distress within the Indian diaspora.
This added to something larger that Indian authorities wanted to voice about the increasing hostility toward the Indian community in Canada. Besides igniting a debate around the safety issue of citizens of Indian origin residing in Canada, the Brampton attack has also returned to the fore the issue of pro-Khalistan extremism and the cost it exacts on Canada-India relations.
Background of the Attack
The Brampton temple attack is the latest incident in a series of nefarious anti-India acts being committed by pro-Khalistan supporters. Videos and images circulating online showed graffiti supporting Khalistan, and slogans against the Indian government. Local authorities investigating the case have found the Modi administration upset with what its officials termed Canada’s inaction, which they claimed could have mitigated this incident had it taken preventive measures. Our officials believe this campaign of vandalism has placed a fear factor in a number of Indo-Canadians, especially so when sentiments within certain communities in Canada appear to be fuelling these very acts.
Modi’s Diplomatic Push
Prime Minister Modi urged the Canadian government to act more decisively against the pro-Khalistan groups said to be taking cover on Canadian territory. The Modi government reiterated that these matters, if left unresolved, could harm bilateral ties between the two countries. Trudeau has countered these accusations by maintaining respect toward diversity and communities while facing increased scrutiny to strengthen actions against extremist factions.
Impact on India-Canada Relations
This incident has underscored long-standing frustrations around Khalistan advocacy within Canada- a politically sensitive issue that sometimes has entered into India-Canada diplomatic discussions. A lot of Indians perceive that Khalistan is a paramilitary independence movement looking to create a Sikh state out of India and is using Canadian territory to operate. The recent attack has again raised calls for Trudeau’s government to take a stiffer position against hate crimes targeting Indian communities.
Economic ties in trade between Canada and India may suffer if incidents go unchecked. Current negotiations over a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two nations are stalled, with political observers citing that Indian diaspora security will be the sticking point for future discussions.
