Tensions Rise Between Canada and India Over Allegations by PM Justin Trudeau
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently testified at a foreign interference inquiry, stating that Canada had not provided India with hard evidence but only intelligence regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau mentioned that India has been asking for evidence over the allegations made by Canada. He explained that the information was primarily intelligence, not hard proof, and suggested working together with India.
The relationship between India and Canada has been strained since Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament that India was involved in Nijjar’s killing. India has denied these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and accused Canada of harboring extremist elements. Nijjar, labeled a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey last year.
Trudeau also claimed that information about Canadians opposing the Modi government was passed to India, leading to violence through criminal organizations. He noted that Indian diplomats did not waive their diplomatic immunity, prompting Canada to ask them to leave.
India expelled six Canadian diplomats after summoning Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, to express that the targeting of Indian diplomats was unacceptable. India decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada, citing safety concerns due to the Trudeau Government’s actions.
Amid worsening ties, India rejected a Canadian diplomatic communication suggesting Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in an investigation, calling it part of Trudeau’s political agenda. India criticized Trudeau’s hostility and accused his government of supporting extremists to intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada.
Doubts Revealed
PM Justin Trudeau -: Justin Trudeau is the Prime Minister of Canada, which means he is the leader of the Canadian government.
Khalistani terrorist -: A Khalistani terrorist is someone who supports the idea of creating a separate country for Sikhs called Khalistan, and uses violence to achieve this goal.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar -: Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a person involved in the Khalistani movement, and he was considered a terrorist by some countries.
Intelligence vs. Hard Evidence -: Intelligence is information gathered to understand a situation, but it may not be strong enough to prove something in court, unlike hard evidence which is solid proof.
Diplomats -: Diplomats are officials who represent their country in another country, helping to manage international relations and solve problems between nations.
Political agenda -: A political agenda is a plan or set of goals that a politician or government wants to achieve, often to gain support or power.