Canada Downplays Khalistan Elements, Says There Is Only One India
India-West News Desk
OTTAWA – Canada has reaffirmed its unwavering stance on India’s territorial integrity, marking the first explicit statement since tensions arose between the two nations last year following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was also one of India’s most-wanted terrorists.
In testimony before the foreign interference commission here, David Morrison, Canada’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, reiterated the country’s clear policy on respecting India’s territorial integrity. He emphasized, “Canada’s position is very clear that India’s territorial integrity must be respected. There is one India, and we have made that very clear.”
Addressing the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, Morrison acknowledged that while such actions might be “awful,” they are protected under freedom of speech laws. He added that there are things “many of us prefer not to see,” but they remain lawful under Canadian constitutional rights.
The statement on “One India” was aimed at clarifying Ottawa’s position regarding pro-Khalistan groups, many of whom hold Canadian citizenship. It is also viewed as a gesture to restore balance to the strained India-Canada relationship, which has been deteriorating over the past year.
In June, Canada’s parliament held a moment of silence to honor Nijjar’s memory, a move that prompted India to organize a memorial service in Vancouver to pay tribute to the 329 victims of the 1985 Air India bombing, orchestrated by Khalistani extremists.
Daljit (Dean)Singh
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The central issue was not the territorial integrity of India, it was the alleged unlawful action of the Indian government representative to murder a citizen of another nation in a foreign territory. It was an onslaught on another country’s sovereignty and freedoms granted to its citizens. This murder remains contrary to International Law and the person and the sponsoring organizations committing the crime remain liable for their action.
October 7, 2024Inder walia
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I don’t know why anyone care. No Khalistan problem in India. It will be good idea why don’t Canada gave some land to these Khalistani’s to make Khalistan that will satisfied these terrorist. So People of Punjab can live in peace. But only problem with this is illegal Khalistan’s want get any money from Pakistan.
October 7, 2024I am a Sikh Punjabi and my ancestors are Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.