This India Canada slugfest over the killing of Khalistani
leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar may not go to its logical conclusion. Canada has
not provided any proof six days after the accusations were made.
This Khalistan issue has been going on for the last several
decades between the two countries. Canada has not acted on any of the dossiers
or extradition requests that Indian agencies handed over the last several
years.
Liberal democracies seem to be harboring Khalistanis.
Attacks on temples in Australia. On the Indian embassy in London and on the
consulate in San Francisco. Whatever happens, the Khalistan issue has got
highlighted the world over. It might even be that if India plays its game well,
the movement could suffer irreversible losses.
Analysts have pointed to a different angle. China is
interfering in Canadian politics by influencing people and funding some of
Trudeau’s campaigns. Trudeau was forced to start an investigation on the role
of the CCP in Canadian elections and politics in general. Analysts say that
Trudeau has raised the Indian bogey to divert attention from the Chinese role
in Canada which has proved beneficial to Trudeau and his party.
Why has Trudeau done this? Trudeau has become weak
domestically. His ratings have been falling consistently. India’s trade with
Canada is very small currently. Trudeau can sacrifice relations with India to
gain domestic traction. He needs the support of the Khalistani faction to stay
in power.
Many also say that this is India Vs Trudeau and not Canada. None
of the five eyes countries have shown solidarity with Canada to the extent that
Canada was expecting. Notwithstanding the cooperation of the five eyes, this
not the India of ten years ago. Trudeau cannot expect India to wilt under pressure.
India is on the upswing and confident under the Modi dispensation. Also,
Geo-strategically India is far more important to the west than Canada.
Some commentators are saying that the US is hoping to see
Trudeau fall and a new government come to power in Canada so that a new
beginning can be made quickly.
This spat between India and Canada has set a precedent. It
has sent a message to all the countries in the Anglosphere that for the first
time a first world country stands accused by a developing country of aiding and
abetting terrorism, which Canada seems to be doing for the last several
decades.
Indian government officials have stated clearly that Canada has no
information to share on the Nijjar killing.
In the current investigation the Pakistani ISI has been
mentioned, mainly on the press. The possibility of the ISI killing Nijjar to
spoil Indo-Canadian relations does not sound outlandish. However, a thorough
investigation of the case is needed to establish facts. This is not being done
by Canada yet.
In India the NIA has cracked down on known Khalistani links
across the country
The Sun’s Political Commentator Lorne Gunter says Trudeau
has made Canada a tiny nation on the world stage.
It will be difficult to carry this spat too far as a lot is
at stake. Trade relations between India and Canada are getting deeper, and
there is a huge diaspora connected with India. Canada is also a part of the
Indo-Pacific strategy, so the Canadian military is also involved. Infact the
Canadian Deputy Commander is attending a conference of military commanders of
the Indo-Pacific currently under way in New Delhi. This shows that the current
spat between the two countries is just a storm in a teacup whipped up by
Justin Trudeau for his own political gains.
As a footnote to this spat, there is news that am attempt
was made on Gurpatwant Singh Pannu the Khalistani who is making anti- India noises.
The US however claims they thwarted the attempt. Thus, new twists are being
added to this spat. Whether any conclusion will be reached is hard to say. This
spat is now an exhibition match of diplomatic muscle flexing by the countries
involved. Whatever happens, we may see
many ups and downs in this ongoing tussle, with maybe new players.
