Global affairs keep changing their shape based on the common multilateral objectives of various nations, their national interests and the political will of their leaders. Amid this complex criss-cross of personal political agenda of the leaders, national interests of their respective nations and the bilateral & multilateral developments, this week also emanated with various developments across the world.
The diplomatic brawl between Canadian and Indian governments after Trudeau alleged Indian government for playing a pivotal role in the Khalistani terrorist Nijjar’s killing does not seems to be ending. Due to Trudeau’s false allegations, India-Canada relations suffered like never before. After a series of provoking diplomatic actions from Canada and a befitting response from India, now the latest news pieces are coming up with the shocking revelation that Pakistan’s ISI allegedly arranged the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. News pieces also mention how ISI planned this killing after Nijjar rejected to support ISI’s people in Canada.
India had strongly condemned the allegations of Trudeau last week and had clearly stated that it had no role in the killing of Nijjar. Now, with the latest revelations related to ISI’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing, I am waiting for the response from Trudeau’s side. (Hope he realises how he has ruined his nation’s image apart from the bilateral relations between India and Canada just to save his minority government!)
India’s concerns: Extremism in Canada and relations
India always remained supportive towards Canada. Despite this, Trudeau chose his personal political goals over the national interests of Canada; this is unfortunate. This week, while speaking at the ‘Discussion at Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York, Indian External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar expressed his deep concerns on the “organised crime, related to secessionist forces, violence and extremism” in Canada. He also expressed his concerns for these being “very permissive” due to political reasons. He also mentioned how India has always helped Canadian government by providing relevant information and evidences related to these crimes. He aptly analysed that “Canada actually has seen a lot of organised crime, relating to the secessionist forces, organized crime, violence and extremism. They’re all very, very deeply mixed up. So, in fact, we have been talking about specifics and information.” He also mentioned how India has always supported Canada. On the killing of Nijjar, he shared how Indian government elucidated Canada that it is not Indian way to operate.
“We told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it. The picture is not complete without the context in a way,” Indian External Affairs Minister has pertinently put forward Indian response to not only the allegations of Trudeau but also on the killing of Nijjar. Indian government is ready to help Canada given the Canadian government provides apt information and evidences. With the latest news of ISI’s involvement in to Nijjar’s killing, and the fact that Trudeau keeps appeasing Khalistani leaders sitting in Canada for his mean political objectives, I think a concoction of both should be taken in to account while probing not only the killing of Nijjar but also the helix of Khalistani movement in India. Trudeau should also be asked why he supports a separatist movement in India? The answer may help the Canadians in correcting their political and social conditions at present.
Trudeau and Trump’s political challenges
There is no doubt that Trudeau has invited a political crisis for his own future as well! As I wrote last week also, it seems he does not remember (or want to remember) that most of the Indian diaspora living in Canada belongs to peace-loving Indians who love their motherland. Sometimes, these leaders fail in calculating the impact of their certain political actions that boomerang in future. And Trudeau is not the only one. Well, another leader who seems to be in a deep crisis at present is Donald Trump. The former US President and his sons Eric and Don Jr faced a major setback when the New York Judge stated that they committed a major scam by inflating the value of the real estate and financial assets of the Trump Organization for years. The judge has also cancelled the business licenses of Trump and his sons that permitted them to operate their New York properties. Timing of this judgement is very crucial as Trump is a frontrunner for the presidential candidature from Republican Party. Though he has stated that the judge is biased and a democrat (or should I write biased been a democrat?) his candidature as well as his business will certainly suffer.
Power could be intoxicating. If the leaders don’t remember the true purpose of power, they may make fatal mistakes that can cost their power itself. Hope this week teaches the leaders to work for what they get elected for.
The author is Professor, School of International Studies, JNU