NEW DELHI: Former Punjab chief minister and BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday slammed Justin Trudeau for ruining India-Canada ties amid recent tensions in diplomatic ties. Singh also said that Trudeau is only interested in getting the Sikh votes in elections and does not care about anything else.
"India and Canada always had friendly relations. Trudeau has ruined it. Trudeau is interested in only one thing and that is getting the Sikh votes for his own election. He doesn't care what happens, he has done this earlier also," Singh said.
"He is promoting Khalistanis at the moment. This is something that is not acceptable. When I was in government, Canadian defence minister was in India visit, I refused to meet him," former Punjab CM added.
Singh's remarks come amid high tension as the ties between India and Canada have deteriorated to an unprecedented low due to Canada's perceived backing of Khalistani radicals within its substantial Sikh-Canadian community, which numbers approximately 800,000. India has asserted that the Canadian government has taken minimal action to curb the efforts of Khalistani advocates who aim to undermine India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Indian government maintains that Canada's apparent inaction has allowed these extremist elements to operate unchecked, further straining the diplomatic relations between the two nations. The issue has become a major point of contention, with New Delhi expressing its deep concern over Ottawa's handling of the situation.
As tensions continue to simmer, both countries face the challenge of finding a resolution that addresses India's security concerns while respecting Canada's commitment to freedom of expression and the rights of its Sikh-Canadian citizens. The path forward remains uncertain, as the two nations navigate this complex and sensitive matter that has put their bilateral relationship to the test.
Earlier, in a scathing criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's stance on Khalistani elements, India's recalled envoy Sanjay Verma accused him of emboldening separatist criminals by not taking action against them.
The diplomat further suggested that Trudeau's apparent encouragement of Khalistani elements might be driven by domestic vote-bank politics or other political motives. He asserted that this encouragement has emboldened Khalistanis, leading them to persistently attack India's interests and attempt to harm the country.
"India and Canada always had friendly relations. Trudeau has ruined it. Trudeau is interested in only one thing and that is getting the Sikh votes for his own election. He doesn't care what happens, he has done this earlier also," Singh said.
"He is promoting Khalistanis at the moment. This is something that is not acceptable. When I was in government, Canadian defence minister was in India visit, I refused to meet him," former Punjab CM added.
VIDEO | "(Canadian PM Justin) Trudeau has ruined the relationship (between India and Canada). Trudeau is interested in only one thing and that is getting the Sikh votes for his own election. He doesn't care what happens, he has done this earlier also. He is promoting Khalistanis… pic.twitter.com/Cteb7ZSrZx
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 25, 2024
Singh's remarks come amid high tension as the ties between India and Canada have deteriorated to an unprecedented low due to Canada's perceived backing of Khalistani radicals within its substantial Sikh-Canadian community, which numbers approximately 800,000. India has asserted that the Canadian government has taken minimal action to curb the efforts of Khalistani advocates who aim to undermine India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Indian government maintains that Canada's apparent inaction has allowed these extremist elements to operate unchecked, further straining the diplomatic relations between the two nations. The issue has become a major point of contention, with New Delhi expressing its deep concern over Ottawa's handling of the situation.
As tensions continue to simmer, both countries face the challenge of finding a resolution that addresses India's security concerns while respecting Canada's commitment to freedom of expression and the rights of its Sikh-Canadian citizens. The path forward remains uncertain, as the two nations navigate this complex and sensitive matter that has put their bilateral relationship to the test.
Earlier, in a scathing criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's stance on Khalistani elements, India's recalled envoy Sanjay Verma accused him of emboldening separatist criminals by not taking action against them.
The diplomat further suggested that Trudeau's apparent encouragement of Khalistani elements might be driven by domestic vote-bank politics or other political motives. He asserted that this encouragement has emboldened Khalistanis, leading them to persistently attack India's interests and attempt to harm the country.
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