Questions are being raised on the actions of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
New Delhi: Several former diplomats on Tuesday criticized Canada’s allegations of linking Indian diplomats in Ottawa to the investigation into the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. These ex-diplomats said that New Delhi has taken the ‘right step in response’ to Canada’s absurd allegations. The former ambassadors also said Canada’s “propaganda” stems from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “audacity” to seek “support from radical elements” within his country to boost his chances in the next election.
‘Canada did not share any evidence with India’
Already sour India-Canada relations deteriorated further on Monday after Canada linked the Indian High Commissioner to the investigation into Nijjar’s murder. India reacted strongly, rejecting Canada’s allegations and expelling six Canadian diplomats. India also recalled its High Commissioner from Canada. India also rejected attempts by Canadian authorities to link Indian agents to criminal gangs in Canada. Official sources even said that there is not an iota of truth in Canada’s claim that it has shared evidence with India in the Nijjar case.
‘Trudeau’s thinking is like that of a very unfortunate, unstable person’
Former diplomat and author Rajeev Dogra said Canada has taken this latest action when Trudeau’s popularity has “sunk” and he is “likely to lose” the upcoming elections there. He alleged that Trudeau has now come up with a new propaganda in the hope of getting the support of Sikh extremists. “Trudeau’s thinking about the hypothetical allegation is that of a very unfortunate, most unstable person,” Dogra said. This is not a sensible way to deal with things. Asked whether this would affect India’s stand at the SCO summit to be held in Islamabad on October 16, Dogra said, “It will not.”
‘Canada’s stupid actions have no impact on SCO’
Dogra said, ‘Whether it is SCO or any other platform, India has its own status and position and foolish actions on the part of Canada will not affect it.’ External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reached the neighboring country on Tuesday for the SCO meeting to be hosted by Pakistan. When asked about the impact of the India-Canada diplomatic row on bilateral relations, Dogra said, ‘PM Justin Trudeau has become a kind of misfortune for the people of Canada. His popularity has fallen, and the more it falls, the more he flares up and says bad things. I am not saying this, but the Canadian media and a section of politicians are saying this.
‘This step will be harmful to Canada’
Dogra said, ‘Won’t this propaganda encourage extremist activities there?’ He said Trudeau will not remain prime minister for long and is likely to “lose in the upcoming election.” Some former diplomats said the move would be ‘detrimental to Canada’ in terms of international opinion. Former diplomat Dilip Sinha said India has taken the ‘most necessary step’ in retaliation. He said diplomacy runs on ‘reciprocity’ and if Canada decides to ‘make absurd allegations and make the lives of Indian diplomats in that country unsafe’, India will have to ‘retaliate’.
‘Justin Trudeau looks like he’s going to lose’
Sinha, who was ambassador to Greece, said India has already taken the most important step to retaliate against the “highly irresponsible act of the Government of Canada in making baseless allegations against the Indian High Commissioner and other senior Indian diplomats serving in Canada.” ‘ New Delhi has asked Canada’s acting High Commissioner and five other diplomats to leave India. Sinha echoed Dogra’s point, saying Trudeau is lagging behind in the opinion polls, so he thinks he is going to lose. They feel they need the support of radical Khalistanis, who have a very strong base in Canada.
Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was murdered on 18 June 2023.
‘Trudeau is trying to woo Khalistanis’
Sinha said that Trudeau is trying to sacrifice relations with India to woo these elements. Asked whether Canada’s status as a member of the G7 grouping would affect India, the former diplomat said Canada is an important country in the G7 but ‘the rest of the countries will not fall for Trudeau’s tricks’, although Canada is like others. Will definitely try to get support from. Brigadier Rahul Bhosle (retired) said in Dehradun that Canada’s allegation was ‘quite absurd’. He said that Indian diplomats are highly respected and very professional, who work to strengthen relations, not to break them.
Terrorist Hardeep Nijjar was killed on June 18
Bhosle said, the Ministry of External Affairs has rightly rejected Canada’s allegations. He said, ‘This move is a desperate act to spoil relations with India, for what reason, I do not know, but it seems that it has been done for political reasons because his party is losing before the elections.’ Relations between the two countries have turned sour following Trudeau’s allegations of ‘possible’ involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar in September last year. India has rejected Trudeau’s allegations as ‘absurd’. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year. (Language)
