Roving Periscope: Canada’s domestic politics spoiling its relations with India

Virendra Pandit 

New Delhi: Domestic political compulsions may have forced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to go ‘soft’ on pro-Khalistani separatists in his North American country which has seen a recent spurt in violence by anti-Indian activists.

The revitalized Khalistani separatists have resurfaced and attacked Indian interests in Canada, the US, and Australia, among other nations.

To remain in power, Trudeau’s minority government is being allegedly blackmailed into abject surrender by a Sikh militant party, ironically known as the “New Democratic Party” (NDP), headed by pro-Khalistani lawyer Jagmeet Singh alias Jimmy Dhaliwal, the media reported.

In the past few months, these anti-India elements have organized at least three major incidents in Canada, but PM Trudeau failed to take any strong action against a resurgent Khalistani activism in his country.

Responding to the Khalistani posters naming Indian officials, Canada has only meekly assured India of the safety of its diplomats and termed the “promotional material” circulated ahead of a Khalistani protest “unacceptable.”

On Monday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly’s statement came after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India had asked partner countries like Canada, the UK, and the US not to give space to “extremist Khalistani ideology” as it was “not good” for multilateral relations.

Also on Monday, India summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay in New Delhi to convey its concerns and issued a strong demarche (a petition or protest presented through diplomatic channels) regarding the posters, and another March incident wherein Sikh extremists had lobbed two smoke canisters into the High Commission premises.

In recent years, Canada has emerged as a popular country for Indian emigrants, especially those from Punjab. This is also a reason for the rejuvenation of the Khalistani movement, allegedly sponsored and funded by their remaining few sympathizers back home in India, and Pakistan as well.

In June, a parade by pro-Khalistani supporters ahead of the anniversary of ‘Operation Bluestar’ (which happened from June 1 to 10, 1984) featured a float in Canada depicting the assassination of India’s late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The parade in Ontario’s Greater Toronto area prompted the Indian High Commission in Ottawa to register displeasure to the Canadian Foreign Ministry.

This Canadian weakness stems from the Trudeau government’s utter dependence on Sikh extremists to stay in power.

Hoping that his ‘better’ handling of the Covid-19 pandemic would help his Liberal Party win a majority in the House of Commons, PM Trudeau hastily called for an early election in September 2021—despite his opponents warning that voting amid the Covid surge was dangerous.

His Liberal Party lost 20 seats, lowering its tally to 157 from 177 at the time of dissolution in the House of 338; the main opposition party, the Conservatives, won 121 seats, Bloc Quebecois 32, NDP 24, Green Party 3, and one Independent. While Trudeau won more seats than his opponents, they were sufficient to allow him to form only a minority government. The Conservatives also got a higher vote share than him.

So, not only did Trudeau need at least 13 lawmakers to form the government, but he also required additional support to push his agenda. This is where Dhaliwal’s NDP chipped in.

NDP’s 21 seats made it critical for the survival of the Trudeau government. This may be among the reasons why Trudeau cannot afford to antagonize “someone who is a known Khalistani supporter”, the reports said.

“Trudeau is treading a thin line, heading a minority government backed significantly by Jagmeet Singh, who is crucial for his political survival. Though the 2019 elections had sealed the bond between them, Singh is now seen as his trusted partner supporting him whenever he is attacked by opposition on issues.”

Since 2019, Singh also vocally supported the Khalistani cause, targeting the Narendra Modi government during India’s farmers’ agitation over the now-repealed three farm laws. He also came under the spotlight in India when he raised concerns over the Punjab police crackdown against pro-Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh and called for Trudeau’s intervention.