In light of ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Canadian security experts Joe Adam George explain khalistani The movement does not pose a direct threat to Western countries. He mentioned that this perception led these countries to ignore India’s concerns Khalistani extremism.
He noted that “the Khalistan movement does not pose a direct threat to the West, at least not regularly. So that’s why you see Western countries trying to downplay or ignore India’s pleas, no matter how legitimate India’s concerns are.” “”
George also highlighted the Canadian government’s problem with conflating separatist militants with Sikhs, saying: “They think all Sikhs are Khalistanis and all Khalistanis are Sikhs. fundamental.
Conflict between India and India Canada The incident intensified recently when Canada named the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats as “persons of interest” in the investigation. Hardeep Singh Nijar‘s death. In response, India recalled its high commissioner and five other Canadian diplomats.
India has long accused Canada of failing to address extremists for political gain, and India has had 26 extradition requests pending for more than a decade.
George referred to a report by the UK’s Bloom Review, which warned of Khalistan activities and recommended that the UK government protect the wider Sikh community from these threats. George said: “In applying it, Trudeau government Refuse to investigate the matter for partisan gain. So that’s the fundamental problem in Canada today.
George also mentioned that in 1985 Air India bombingCanada’s most serious terrorist attack fully demonstrates the Canadian government’s lack of understanding.
“A poll conducted last year found that nine out of 10 Canadians did not know or knew little about the Air India bombing. That in itself tells you why the Canadian government is not seriously investigating the Karisani issue,” he said .
When talking about the response of the United States and Canada to this issue, George said that the United States handled this issue in a more professional manner due to its strategic relationship with India. He contrasted this with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public accusations against India, which heightened tensions.
Previously, the United States urged India to cooperate with Canada’s investigation into Nijar’s murder. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stressed the seriousness of the accusations and reassured strong US-India relations”, he said, “India remains a very strong partner of the United States. We work with them on many issues, including our shared vision of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Regarding potential trade impacts or sanctions, George advised caution, noting the importance of the Indian diaspora in Canada and the economic benefits Canada receives from international students from India. “I think both sides are going to stay on the sidelines… It would be foolish for either side to try to do something that they would ultimately regret,” he said.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were further strained after Trudeau’s parliament accused India of involvement in Nijar’s death, but India denied it, calling the accusations “ridiculous” and “motivated”. Nijjar was listed as a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020 and was killed outside a mosque in Surrey last year.
