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.
India-Canada bilateral relations have practically collapsed after unprecedented tit-for-tat expulsions and withdrawals of its diplomats over escalating tensions flowing from allegations about the June 2023 assassination in British Columbia of Canadian national and pro-Khalistan campaigner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a significant milestone by registering 100 million followers on X, and becoming one of the highest followed politicians in the world.
Modi also shared his thoughts after breaching the mark.
The Indian Consulate in Vancouver reminded the world about the bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka) in which 329 people, including 86 children, were killed, as the Canadian Parliament ‘honored’ deceased Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar with a moment of silence.
The ‘India in Vancouver’ X account of the Consulate General of India in Vancouver in a post said, “India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat.”
iNDICA NEWS BUREAU- In the middle of an election cycle in India, misinformation and false narratives are being created about Indian democracy in the West, a prominent Indian American doctor said on Sunday. Chicago-based Dr. Baharat Barai hit out at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for not taking action against Sikh separatists who are openly […]
India’s High Commissioner in Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma said national security threats originating from Canada are a red line for India. “My concern is national security threats emanating from the land of Canada. These threats are largely emanating from Canadian sections,” he said, adding that the two sides are engaged to resolve the differences. “We are ready to sit down at the table any day and we are doing that and we are trying to resolve this issue,” he said.
India on Tuesday, May 7, reacted strongly to pro-Khalistani elements taking the centre stage, raising anti-India slogans, and displaying objectionable posters against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ‘Nagar Kirtan’ organized at Malton in Canada, urging the government led by Justin Trudeau to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in the country.
At the Khalsa Day Celebrations that took place in Toronto, loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were seen being raised in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. This comes amid a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment in Canada in recent times.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who testified at a public inquiry looking into foreign interference in Canada’s electoral process said that his government was firm on the issue of protecting Canadians, including addressing the killing of alleged Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in Surrey last June.
Women serve as heads of state and government in only 31 countries with less than one in four serving as cabinet ministers, and just 26.5 per cent of them as MPs in a 21st-century world that speaks of gender equality. Despite the not-so-impressive numbers, based on a 2023 UN study, women, some of them Indian-origin, across the world have been emerging as a formidable force in political forums that has long been dominated by men.
Canada’s federal commission of inquiry into foreign interference is looking to examine alleged meddling by India in the country’s last two general elections, Canada-based CTV News reported. The commission, in a statement on Wednesday, said it has asked the federal government to produce documentation related to these allegations.
US-based Indian designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has issued fresh threats ahead of India’s Republic Day. Several pictures on social media show pro-Khalistani graffiti in New Delhi. The graffiti contained threats ahead of the Republic Day parade on January 26 with claims that SFJ aims to “avenge” the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
On the issue of allegations made by the US and Canada regarding pro-Khalistani elements, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar emphasized that the two issues are not the same, adding that India is open to looking into the matter.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday accused Canada of “consistently giving space to anti-India extremists.” During a special press briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE for COP28, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, while responding to a query, said India expects the Canadian government to live up to its obligations under the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma said that the Indian government is cooperating with an American investigation into an alleged thwarted assassination attempt of Sikhs For Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and not Canada’s probe into the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia’s Surrey due to a disparity between the information both nations shared in their investigation.
India on Wednesday resumed e-visa services to Canadian nationals, according to sources. In September, the Indian mission in Canada suspended visa services until further notice, citing operational reasons, according to BLS International. BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.
Canada’s trade minister has indicated that Ottawa won’t restart trade talks with New Delhi until it co-operates with the investigation into the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has requested evidence to support the claims. During a conversation with former Financial Times Editor Lionel Barber at Wilton Park on Wednesday, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of credible evidence. When asked if there was any evidence of the Indian government’s involvement in the killing, the EAM said, “None.”
India has spearheaded recommendations for Canada to fortify measures preventing attacks on worship places and effectively address hate speech. The proposals were presented during the UN Human Rights Council Review meeting, where diplomats from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka shared their insights and recommendations.
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, currently on a visit to the United States until November 16, arrived in San Francisco Monday to attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting. Goyal is invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco.
Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit the US from November 13-17 to attend the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting and has been invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco. On the day of his arrival, the minister is scheduled to meet with Tesla chief Elon Musk.
Amid a rift in ties between New Delhi and Ottawa, the Foreign Minister of Canada, Melanie Joly, has said that she is in close contact with her Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, adding that it is a difficult moment in relationship between the two nations that has spanned decades.
At the conclusion of the second phase of “Khalistan referendum” on October 29, the radical Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group announced $100,000 for the arrest of High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma and released a new map with Delhi as part of Khalistan. The outlawed extremist group holds Verma responsible for the “assassination” of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was gunned down on June 18 this year outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia province.
Calling for immediate de-escalation in strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, Ujjal Dosanjh, former premier of British Columbia and erstwhile Canadian Minister of Health, stressed that India’s “muscular” foreign policy is “essentially for domestic consumption” and not granting visas to Canadian citizens hurts ordinary Indo-Canadians.
Stating that resolving differences would require Canadian diplomats on the ground, the US has expressed concern and urged India not to insist upon their reduction.
Canada evacuated its 41 diplomats and 42 accompanying dependents from India after New Delhi “threatened” to strip them of their diplomatic immunity following a diplomatic row over the killing of pro-Khalistani hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
