Why is Trudeau trying to spoil India's relations over Nijjar?

India-Canada Relations / Why is Trudeau trying to spoil India's relations over Nijjar?

India-Canada Relations - Why is Trudeau trying to spoil India's relations over Nijjar?

India-Canada Relations: The controversy that started with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year has now escalated to such an extent that India has decided to recall its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma posted in Canada. This step was taken when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India without any concrete evidence that India was involved in this murder. India reacted sharply to this, making it clear that Trudeau's statement is not only baseless but it is a political ploy aimed at strengthening the Sikh vote bank in their domestic politics.

Start of the controversy

After the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023, the Canadian government directly blamed India. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a press conference that he has evidence of India's involvement in the murder of Nijjar, although he never made this evidence public. After this, the Canadian police also mentioned the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and accused the Indian government that this gang is carrying out murders in Canada at the behest of India. The Indian government rejected these allegations outright, and despite asking for evidence, nothing was presented from Canada's side.

Trudeau's political compulsion

Elections are to be held in Canada next year and the Sikh population there is an important vote bank for Trudeau's Liberal Party. Canada has a 4% Indian population, of which 2.1% are from the Sikh community. Their number is around 770,000, who play an important role in the electoral equation there. Justin Trudeau, who is running a minority government with 153 seats in the 338-seat House of Commons, needs the support of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party has 25 seats. The main base of the NDP is the Punjabi and Sikh community, and Jagmeet Singh himself is considered a leader of Sikhs in Canada. Due to this political compulsion, Trudeau is making allegations against India so that his Sikh voters do not turn away from him.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a resident of Jalandhar, Punjab, was associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force. In 2020, the Indian government declared him a terrorist and in 2022 a reward of 10 lakhs was also placed on him. Nijjar continued to conspire against India even while living in Canada. After his murder, the Canadian police arrested four people, all of whom are of Indian origin. The Canadian police have not yet been able to prove how and to what extent India was involved in this murder.

Impact on India-Canada relations

This dispute has had a direct impact on the diplomatic and economic relations of the two countries. In 2022-23, trade between India and Canada was around Rs 70,000 crore. If the relationship between the two countries deteriorates further, these trade relations will be badly affected. Apart from this, Indian students and investors contribute significantly to the Canadian economy. Every year more than 320,000 Indian students study in Canada, which generates an income of about Rs 75,000 crore for Canada. If these relations are strained, it can prove to be a huge economic loss for Canada.

Future challenges

This growing dispute between India and Canada will not be limited to diplomatic relations, but it can also affect the Indians and students living there. Common people will have to face changes in visa rules, delays in immigration process and other problems. Along with this, if business between the two countries comes to a halt, it will also cause great loss to Indian and Canadian companies.

Overall, the political game of Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh has not only damaged the relations between the two countries, but it can also take the form of a serious economic and social problem, which will affect the common people.