Lalit Shastri

In a developing diplomatic crisis, India has suspended visas for Canadians, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nations. This move comes in the wake of the murder of Nijjar, one of India’s most-wanted terrorists, who was shot dead by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey, a city in the province of British Columbia in Canada, on June 18.

Nijjar was chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most wanted terrorists.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in Parliament, that there are “credible allegations” against agents of Government of India in the Nijjar murder and the reassertion of the same statement by him at a press conference in the US has come under scathing attack in India.

Trudeau’s statements pointing fingers over the murder have not gone unnoticed and they have generated anger and controversy.

One can imagine the mindset of a person who supports terrorists. Unfortunately, the Canadalian Prime Minister has shamelessly chosen to support the Khalistani terrorists for narrow political gains. Justin Trudeau told the Canadian Parliament that there were “credible allegations” against agents of the Government of Indiabwithoutboffering even an iota of proof. Who will tell him the vast difference between “credible allegations” and “prima facie evidence”. Investigating agencies do not open their mouth merely on the basis of allegations. This man Trudeau is not insane or mad, he appears to be a diabolic politician who wants to cling to power with the support of terrorists.

India rejects allegations by Canada

India’s External Affairs Ministry said in a statement:

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister.

Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.

We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new.

We reject any attempts to connect Government of India to such developments.

We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.”

India expels a senior Canadian Diplomat

On September 19, The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in
India. The concerned diplomat was asked to leave India within the next five days.

The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada

In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel have been urged by the Indian Government to exercise utmost caution. The Government of India said in its advisory:

“Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

Our High Commission/Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indian community in Canada.

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident.”

Internationally, this row is causing ripples. What is significant is that Trudeau is finding himself alone as none of the Five Eyes – United States,
United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, often referred to as FVEY, that constitute a coalition of intelligence agencies along with Canada, have come out openly in support of Trudeau, who is obviously supporting the Khalistani terrorists as he wants the support of the radical elements to cling to power, more so at a time when his popularity rating in Canada is at a dismal low.

It is being pointed out by a cross section of experts watching the evolving situation that Trudeau is making the baseless charge against India to win the support of Khalistanis in Canada at a time when his popularity rating at home is at a dismal low and his country is struggling with an poor economy under deep pressure due to inflation, rising interest rates and increasing prices.

“I don’t really trust any politicians here in Canada because they all only care about their bottom line and accumulating more power. Every single major Canadian party, including the Conservatives, panders to Sikhs and Khalistanis because they’re an extremely united and galvanized vote bank who play a major role in swinging 20% of Canada’s constituencies. Hindus on the other hand are so meek that after having death threats issued against them and their temples vandalized didn’t make a peep. Hindus have to start lobbying and identifying with the Conservative government, much like Sikhs lobby and pressure the NDP and Liberals, and forcing them to take a stand on Hinduphobia and anti indian sentiments.” – A comment on Reddit

Meanwhile, Hindus in Canada are filled with rage and anger over open threats of “Hindu genocide” by the Khalistanis. Canadian federal ministers and politicians, who have so far remained tighlipped and refused to condemn the radical and Khalistani terrorists operating from their soil have however denounced a video in which Hindus in Canada have been threatened.

As tensions continue to rise, it is becoming clear that Trudeau’s blatant support to Kahalistani terrorists has strained Canada-India relations significantly.

In the present scenario, Western nations, including Canada, fear the implications of deteriorating relations with India. It’s not the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar but India’s charge that Canada has become a haven for terrorists that has now become a focal point in assessing the broader diplomatic landscape between these countries.

Newsroom24x7 Network adds

NIA intensifies crackdown on Khalistani terrorists

Stepping up its crackdown on the Khalistani terrorist campaign in the country, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday 24 September 2023 announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of ‘listed terrorist’ Harwinder Singh Sandhu @ Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu @ Landa, for promoting the terror activities of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in India.

A cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each has also been declared by the NIA for information on three associates of these terrorists, namely Parminder Singh Kaira @ Pattu, Satnam Singh @ Satbir Singh @ Satta and Yadvinder Singh @ Yadda. All five are wanted in the NIA case RC-21/2023/NIA/DLI, relating to BKI’s terrorist activities aimed at disturbing India’s peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab.

The NIA had registered the case under sections 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 & 39 of UA (P) Act, 1967.

The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals. They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings, as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab.

NIA investigations have further shown that these terrorists have been engaged in recruiting new members for the BKI by promising them monetary benefits. They have also established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terror activities in different parts of India.

Harwinder Singh Sandhu @ Rinda is a Pakistan based ‘listed individual terrorist’ and member of the BKI. He’s originally a resident of Near Gate No. 5, Sachkhand, Gurudwara Huzoor Sahib, District Nanded, Maharashtra, with Taran Taran district in Punjab as a permanent address.

Landa is a resident of village Harike, District Tarn-Taran, Punjab, India, while Parminder Singh Khaira @ Pattu hails from Baghelewala, Zira, District Ferozpur Punjab. Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh @ Satta Naushera is a resident of Naushera Pannuan, P.S Sarhali, Tarn Taran, Punjab, India and Yadvinder Singh @ Yadda belongs to Chamba Kalan, District-Tarn Taran, Punjab. Any specific information leading to the arrest of the five wanted terrorists can be shared with the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh through the following methods.

NIA seeks info on wanted accused in San Fransisco Indian Consulate attack case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released the pictures of 10 wanted accused in the March 2023 case of attack and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, USA, and has sought information about them from the general public. The agency has issued three separate “Request for Identification & Information” notices against the wanted accused, seeking any information of importance that could lead to their arrest or apprehension. While two of the notices carry photographs of two accused each, the third notice shows pictures of the other six accused allegedly involved in the case RC-18/2023/NIA/DLI. The NIA has released the following telephone numbers and email ids for sharing of any information on these 10 accused:

1. NIA HEADQUARTER NEW DELHI CONTROL ROOM -Telephone Number: 011-24368800, WhatsApp/Telegram: +91-8585931100 Email ID: do.nia@gov.in

2. NIA Branch Office Chandigarh -Telephone Number: 0172-2682900, 2682901 WhatsApp/Telegram Number: 7743002947 Telegram: 7743002947 Email ID: info-chd.nia@gov.in

The agency has promised not to reveal the identity of anyone sharing information on the accused. The attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco had taken place in the intervening night of 18 and 19 March 2023 when some pro-khalistani entities treaspassed into the consulate and tried to burn down the Consulate. On the same day, slogan-shouting Khalistani supporters had broken through the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and put up two so-called Khalistani flags in the Consultate premises, damaged the consulate building, assaulted and caused injuries to the consulate officials.

Further in the intervening night of 1and 2July, some accused person trespassed into the consulate and attempted to set the consulate on fire while consulate officials were inside the building.

The NIA had initiated a probe in the matter after registering a case on 16th June 2023 under sections 109,120-B, 147, 148 ,149, 323,436,448 & 452 of IPC, section 13 of UA (P) Act and section 3(1) of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. A team of NIA visited San Francisco in the month of August for the investigation of this case.

Remarks by Canadian Leader of Opposition Pierre Polievre regarding Trudeau’s allegations against India in the parliament

In a press conference last week, Poilievre said the following things with regard to India (in English):

  1. In reply to a questions on what Canada and Trudeau must do regarding this incident and approach in terms of foreign relations –

“The Prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so the Canadians can make a judgement for themselves”

“I think we need to see more facts the Prime minister has not provided any facts he only provided a statement i must emphasize he hasnt told me anymore in private what he told Canadians in public so we want to see more information”

  1. When asked what is the risk if he doesn’t provide the evidence or the allegations are found to be untrue, he simply replied –

“Real”

  1. When asked what sort of facts or evidence he wants from Trudeau

“We need to have the evidence that allowed the prime minister to come to the conclusion yesterday “

  1. When asked about govt’s decision to go public with this intel Poilievre said –

“I would have to have more evidence to make more judgement on that …[pause]…

I find it interesting he knew about vast foreign intervention by Beijing for many years at the same time Beijing kept two Canadians hostage and he said nothing and he did nothing which is very interesting that he took that approach”

He concluded with “We need to see more facts” when further asked questions about India.

Readers Write – Quotable Quote

“What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If the US can designate terrorists world over and target them with drones, torture and kidnap, I don’t see why that privilege can’t be given to India. Also, China and Pakistan etc are given a free pass…..just because the Trudeau govt relies on the khalistanis, he can’t encourage them. Mark my words, Khalistan will be carved out of Canada. They have brushed the Air India bombing under the carpet, refused extradition of drug smugglers etc. and Nijjar, who entered Canada on the basis of forged documents, was not a Canadian citizen.”

Check – Trudeau and his pro-Khalistan politics: India should crack the whip