India Canada Relationship : What Indian HC says
India Canada Relationship
Canada is a very popular destination for mostly Sikhs of India. Almost every family of Punjab has at least one person lives in Canada. A large number of Indian students are also pursuing their degree and PG courses from Canadian colleges and universities. India and Canada has very long cultural and economic relationship.
Bilateral trade between India and Canada has seen significant growth in recent few years and will cross $10 billion in 2023-2024. While Canada and India have a broad-based relationship, their ties have often been strained by Sikh protestors involved with the Khalistan movement.
Officials in Canada and India are publicly dissenting and tensions are high. That’s because last month Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India’s Govt. of potentially being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Canada, which is followed by approximately 2.4% of nation’s total population. As of 2023, there are over 838,000 Canadians of the Hindu faith. Canadian Hindus generally come from one of three groups.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement in the House of Commons on 18th Sept. 2023, saying there were “credible allegations” that Indian proxies were behind the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist leader. He was associated with Khalistan Movement, calling for an independent Sikh state in India.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, Indian High Commissioner told that, India was not involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and Ottawa, has “convicted” even before the completion of the investigation.
Canada and India witnessed strains in ties following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar on June 18, 2023. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India has rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.
Sanjay Kumar Verma, Indian High Commissioner talked about India-Canada relationship amid tension between both the countries. Few points:
- In Canada things are better for officials than before, said Indian HC
- India Canada friendship is strong.
- Police presence is evident outside temple.
- Issue of Nijjar murder is still being probed.
- A gangster activity is being investigated.