Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has admitted that Khalistani supporters are present in his country but said they do not represent the entire Sikh community of the nation as a whole.
He made the comment at a time when the ties between India and Canada had touched a new low leading to retaliatory expulsion of diplomats.
“There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh Community as a whole. There are supporters of the Modi government in Canada, but they do not represent all Hindu Canadians as a whole,” Trudeau said in his address to the Indian community during Diwali celebrations at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill as quoted by India Today.
A recent standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa was triggered after Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India-Canada standoff over Khalistani row
India responded sharply after Canada called the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats “persons of interest” in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Growing tension within Canada
Triggering fresh tensions, a large number of suspected Khalistani supporters last week attacked Hindu devotees outside a temple in Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The Canadian Prime Minister has called the attack on the temple “unacceptable” and asserted everyone has the right to practise their religion “freely and safely”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Brampton.
PM Modi also slammed the attempt to “intimidate” Indian diplomats in Canada, calling the situation ‘appalling’ and urging the Canadian government to ensure justice.
In a strongly worded post, PM Modi said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
