Know all about Anita Anand, Indian-origin woman and contender to succeed Canadian PM Trudeau

Just six years into her political career, Anita Anand, a Canadian woman of Indian descent is already among the favorites to replace Justin Trudeau as the Prime Minister of Canada, following the latter’s decision to step down from the post on Monday, January 6. If Anand is chosen as Trudeau’s successor, she would make history as the first woman of color to lead Canada.

Trudeau took the decision amidst mounting pressure from party colleague, capping his near decade journey as the Prime Minister of the North American nation.

Justin Trudeau’s resignation has the potential to mend ties with India by his successor

The inevitable resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has the potential to reboot Canada’s seriously frayed relations with India over the question of Khalistani separatism.

Whoever takes over as Trudeau’s successor will have a fresh opportunity to recalibrate bilateral relations which have practically collapsed since October last year after unprecedented tit-for-tat expulsions and withdrawals of its diplomats over escalating tensions flowing from his allegations of a “campaign of violence”.

Nijjar killing: Indian diplomat Verma takes Trudeau govt head on, says no evidence shared

In his first reaction after being withdrawn by New Delhi following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continued “hostility” towards India, senior diplomat and High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma on Sunday, October 20, termed the allegations levelled by Ottawa as “politically motivated” with no evidence whatsoever presented by the Canadian government of India’s alleged involvement in last year’s killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“Nothing at all. No evidence was presented. Politically motivated,” Verma told Canada’s CTV ahead of his departure from the country.

India responds to Trudeau’s testimony, blames “cavalier behavior” for strained relations over Khalistani killing allegations

As Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a Commission of Inquiry and said his government had no hard proof against India the Khalistani separatist killing last year, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said what it heard only “confirms” New Delhi’s stand on the issue.

The MEA also held Trudeau’s “cavalier behavior” responsible for damaging India-Canada relations.

Trudeau admits no hard evidence in India accusation, faces growing calls for resignation amid political turmoil

In a massive embarrassment for Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, October 16, admitted that Ottawa only provided some intelligence inputs and no hard proof before accusing India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Testifying before the country’s foreign interference inquiry, Trudeau admitted that New Delhi had demanded the sharing of proof — something that India has been insisting on till date — after the allegations.

“Indian govt needs to work with us”: Canada PM Justin Trudeau after US indictment of Indian national

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called on the Indian government to cooperate with Canada in the investigation of the killing of India designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar after the United States Justice Department filed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a US-based leader of the Sikh Separatist Movement in New York, CBC News reported.

Justin Trudeau doubles down on Nijjar claim, says India “kicked out” Canadian diplomats

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday reiterated his allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in June this year. Trudeau accused New Delhi of violating the Vienna Convention by “kicking out” 40 diplomats at a time when his country had reached out to the former and other global partners to get to the bottom of the murder.

Justin Trudeau has gone for broke in alleging India’s role in a Sikh Separatist’s murder

Justin Trudeau has gone for broke in alleging India’s role in a Sikh Separatist’s murder

By Mayank Chhaya- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is going for broke in making the explosive claims in his country’s parliament about India’s alleged involvement in the killing of the Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia. What is remarkable is that Trudeau chose to make this stunning announcement […]

Canada: Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya joins Liberal leadership race

Chandra Arya, an Indian-origin Member of Parliament in Canada and former PM Justin Trudeau’s loyalist, on Thursday, January 9, announced his candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, just days after Trudeau resigned.

“I am running to be the next Prime Minister of Canada to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations,” Arya wrote in a post on X.

U.S. not playing politics with Khalistanis, says foreign affairs expert on India-Canada row

Amid the strained relationship between India and Canada, Raja Mohan, foreign affairs expert and the founding director of Carnegie India, spoke about the complexities of international politics and diaspora influence, particularly in Canada.

Mohan also noted that the Joe Biden administration in the United States has taken a different stance, not playing politics with Khalistani groups, unlike Canada.

Violence will not weaken India’s resolve amid rising Khalistani threat: Modi to Canada

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stern response to the activities of Khalistani extremists in Canada has drawn significant attention and analysis. The Prime Minister’s hard-hitting message, particularly following attacks on Hindus — identified as one of the most peaceful communities — marks a critical juncture in India-Canada relations.

PM Narendra Modi wrote in a post on X: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”

Khalistani separatist murder: Canadian officials admit leaking ‘intelligence’ on India to U.S. media

Exposing Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government’s vindictive campaign against India yet again, two senior officials in Ottawa have admitted that they leaked the so-called ‘intelligence” on India to the American media, much before it was revealed at home.

Nathalie Drouin, Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, and David Morrison, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, disclosed the leaks to The Washington Post before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) publicly accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a designated terrorist in India — and other incidents in Canada.

Recalled Indian envoy Verma warns of Khalistani influence on Indian students in Canada

Senior diplomat and India’s recalled High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma on Thursday, October 24, advised Indian students in Canada to remain “aware of their surroundings” and resist radicalization attempts by Khalistani terrorists and extremists in the country.

Last week, India had decided to withdraw High Commissioner Verma — one of the longest serving diplomats — and “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continued “hostility” towards New Delhi.

Malik Murder Case: Guilty Pleas Amid Rising Tensions Between India and Canada

Two men, Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a court in Canada for their role in the death of Sikh businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik in 2022. Malik was acquitted of the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight, which accounted for the lives of 329 passengers and crew.

Regarded as Canada’s worst air disaster, the crash took place on June 23, 1985. Malik and a co-defendant were found not guilty of killing and plotting in the case.

Canada’s Joly warns remaining Indian diplomats amid heightened tensions over Nijjar investigation

Days after India recalled six of its diplomats from Canada after they were declared “persons of interest” in the investigation of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly warned over a dozen Indian diplomats, who are still in the country to respect the law.

“They’re clearly on notice,” Joly said as quoted by CBC News. “Six of them have been expelled, including the high commissioner in Ottawa. Others were mainly from Toronto and Vancouver. Clearly, we won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna Convention,” she added.

Canadian journalist criticizes government’s inaction on rising extremism amid diplomatic tensions with India

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has criticized his country’s government for failing to curb rising extremism, warning that the “tacit support of extremism from the highest levels of government is starting to have consequences”.

In view of the escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Bordman highlighted the challenges faced not only by Indian diplomats but also by various minority communities within Canada.