Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted the presence of Khalistani supporters in the country. However, he also said that these Khalistani supporters do not represent the Sikh community in Canada. Trudeau’s acceptance of the presence of Khalistani supporters confirms India’s position that the Canadian government is sheltering Khalistani elements.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Hindu supporters in Canada, but they also do not represent the entire Hindu community in Canada.
Addressing the Indian community during Diwali celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Trudeau said: “There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the entire Sikh community. There are supporters of the Modi government in Canada, but they all “Hindus do not represent Canadians.”
Trudeau’s comments come amid the growing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Relations between the two countries became strained in September 2023, when Trudeau alleged the role of Indian agents in Nijjar’s murder.
Let us tell you that terrorist Nijjar, wanted by the Government of India, was shot outside a Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. Last month, relations were further strained when Canada accused the High Indian commissioner to investigate Nijjar’s murder. However, India rejected all these allegations and called its Ottawa-based High Commission. India also expelled 6 Canadian diplomats.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly said that the Canadian government did not share evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder despite repeated requests. The government also accused Trudeau of playing vote bank politics and failing to take adequate measures to deal with separatist elements on Canadian soil.
