As diplomatic tensions rise between India and Canada, a prominent Canadian MP of Indian heritage has raised alarms regarding the threat from Khalistani groups.
The friction escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government on Monday of engaging in criminal activities against Canadian citizens. In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner along with five other diplomats from Ottawa.
Chandra Arya, a Hindu MP representing Nepean in the House of Commons, underscored the concerns of minority communities, referencing recent assaults on Canadian journalists and divisive incidents. "The only way to address our concerns is for Hindu Canadians to speak out and hold all political leaders accountable. We must ensure the protection of our security and interests," he remarked in a video message.
Arya pointed out that Canada has long acknowledged the serious issue of violent Khalistani terrorism. "Let me be clear: any involvement or actions by foreign government actors in Canada are unacceptable," he stated.
In advocating for the rights of Hindus in Canada, Arya stressed that Khalistani terrorism is fundamentally a Canadian issue that requires a robust response. He highlighted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gowin confirmed a national task force is actively investigating violent extremism related to Khalistani groups.
Recognizing the international dimension of terrorism, Arya emphasized the importance of international cooperation with India. He called on everyone to recognize the necessity of addressing the border threats posed by Khalistani terrorism and to revitalize efforts to tackle these issues. He noted that the persistence of Khalistani terrorism in Canada is closely tied to the political support that these extremists receive.
Arya opined that the political backing for Khalistani extremists helps perpetuate this threat. He referenced a Globe and Mail article by Andrew Coyne, criticizing the tendency of Canadian politicians to attend rallies that glorify terrorists or their actions. He asserted that political leaders in Canada should not endorse separatist movements, particularly those that advocate or engage in violence.
October 16, 2024
Relations between India and Canada have faced significant strain since Trudeau accused Indian agents of being involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last September. India rejected Trudeau's claims as unfounded and politically motivated, asserting that the core issue between the two nations is Canada's permissive stance toward Khalistani sympathizers on its territory.
