Influential Sikhs in America are upset with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations against India
Chairman of Sikhs of America Jesse Singh on Wednesday raised questions over the timing of the Canadian PM’s allegations. Singh said Trudeau is digging a hole for himself for political gain and it can backfire.
A US expert has termed Canadian Trudeau’s claim of a “potential link” between Indian Government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, a “shameless and cynical action” and urged the United States not be part of it.
Participating in a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.
What is striking about Trudeau’s “shameless action and cynical action” is that while he is making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Minister’s office, Rubin said.
India has strongly rejected Trudeau’s claims as “absurd and motivated” and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move. “Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson told reporters that “work on the trade negotiations will continue as before” and that the UK was “not looking to conflate these issues”. Soon after Trudeau’s allegation, a UK Government spokesperson said Britain is in close touch with the Canadian authorities but declined to comment further.