Sikh radicalism is the main issue
Justin Trudeau should allay India’s concerns on terrorism
The visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have been an occasion for India and Canada to boost their long-standing relations, but the trip appears to be turning into a PR nightmare for the leader adored by millions around the world. Diplomats have noted that the visit appears to be heavy on photo opportunities and light on substantive engagements, with just half a day of the eight-day visit set aside for official engagements. Much has also been made of the lack of a personal welcome and an embrace from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gestures that have been extended to leaders ranging from US President Barack Obama to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi. Indian officials have been at pains to clarify this wasn’t in any way a snub for the soft stand taken by Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada towards Sikh radicals espousing the cause of Khalistan. But the truth is this is a problem that has acquired serious dimensions in recent years and affected relatively trouble-free bilateral relations. Trudeau himself was seen at an event in Toronto last year that featured Khalistani flags , a development that irked the mandarins in the external affairs ministry.
Some have suggested that Trudeau and other Canadian politicians have not taken a position on the matter because of their plans to woo the 1.4 million-strong Indian-origin community, many of them Sikhs, for the elections next year. But sections of the Canadian media have warned that Trudeau can ignore the problem of Sikh radicalism at his own peril. As an editorial in a Canadian daily pointed out, the 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182, the deadliest act of terrorism involving an airliner before the 9/11 attacks, was planned and carried out on Canadian soil and resulted in the death of 329 people, including 268 Canadian citizens. Even today, men considered the masterminds of this attack are eulogised in some Canadian gurdwaras. In such circumstances, mere comments about Canada’s support for a “strong and united” India won’t do. The Canadian prime minister needs to acknowledge India’s concerns to take bilateral relations forward.