The widening divide between India and Canada over the unrestrained Khalistani fanaticism in North America threatens to cause the two countries' relations to collapse. This was made clear on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed his counterpart Justin Trudeau that mutual respect and trust were essential for improving relations between India and Canada. However, while Modi sought cooperation from Trudeau in reining in pro-Khalistan elements, the Canadian PM said that Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of peaceful protest, while acting against hatred, and that he raised the issue of “foreign interference” with Modi.
According to his office, Trudeau raised the importance of respecting the rule of law, democratic principles and national sovereignty in the meeting with Modi.
The Trudeau administration has already accused India of meddling in matters pertaining to the sizable Sikh minority there, even drawing analogies to China and Russia. Trudeau, who was visiting India for the first time since 2018, had reportedly requested a bilateral meeting, but it is understood that India would only have accepted a pull-aside.
Canada recently also suspended negotiations for a free trade agreement with India. Modi used the meeting to convey India’s strong concerns over continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, the Indian government said in a statement.
“They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship,” it added.
Trudeau stuck in India
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation had to extend their stay in New Delhi by an extra day due to a mechanical issue with his aircraft. Trudeau arrived in India for the meeting of G20 and was due to return home after laying a wreath at a memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, but a mechanical fault kept him in India overnight. The Canadian High Commission in New Delhi referred to a statement from Trudeau’s office saying that the Canadian air force, which operates the plane, had informed the delegation it “was experiencing technical difficulties and these issues are not fixable overnight. Our delegation will be staying in India until alternative arrangements are made,” it added.