Toronto,October 15:
Canadian journalist and businessman Anil Shringi called the expulsion of six Indian diplomats by the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his party a "vote bank action."Trudeau has asserted that securities have provided the information, but there is no proof to support this assertion, according to Shringi, He said that this new information is "very disturbing" for the Indo-Canadian diaspora in Canada.
Concerning the rift in diplomatic relations between the two countries, he stated, "Today's news has been quite worrisome for Indo-Canadian diaspora, people who have been living here. Everyone knows that the Trudeau government in Canada has chosen to fire high-ranking Indian diplomats. On the other hand, India has also announced that the Canadian diplomat is required to go on Saturday.
Let me tell you something: I've called Canada home for the past 37 years. I report on a wide range of topics because I am a journalist. That is why I believe Canada's recent move was an attempt to curry favor with the voting public. Next year, there is an election. Thus, the prime minister must appease that group if he wants to keep their support in Canada. If that is not the case, then why is today a cloud over us? There is no such strong evidence still on the table, but they are alleging that securities have given the information.
He pointed out that the government's move will negatively impact individuals who require visas for various reasons. He urged the Canadian and Indian governments to work together and restore diplomatic ties.
"I would say that people are suffering because they need some visas, weddings, death, parents are sick," he said, emphasizing the hardships endured by those in need of visas. Everyone involved will feel the effects, so I implore the two governments to investigate and determine the situation's validity. Just what is true? Take a look at it and figure it out; diplomats are responsible for finding solutions to problems, and I believe that this one has already been resolved at a higher level. It would be beneficial for us to work together. We need to put our differences aside and get back to work on our diplomatic relationship amicably and peacefully so that we may both thrive.
The decision to expel Indian diplomats was based on evidence gathered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the killing case of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged the Indian government to support the ongoing probe for the benefit of both nations.
Hours after summoning Stewart Wheeler, Canada's charge d'affaires, India expelled six Canadian diplomats on Monday, expressing its complete and utter disapproval of what it called "baseless targeting" of the Indian High Commissioner and other Canadian diplomats and officials.
"The Government of India has decided to expel the following six Canadian Diplomats: Mr. Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner; Mr. Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner; Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary; lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary; Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary; Paula Orjuela, First Secretary," according to a release from the Ministry of External Affairs.
"They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024," according to the announcement. As for the Canadian government, defence expert Dhruv Katoch claims that they have attempted to falsely incriminate India in relation to a wanted Indian terrorist who has become a Canadian citizen. The Canadian government, he claims, lacks evidence to back up Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusations.
“I think this is a very surprising development,” Katoch told ANI. From Canada's perspective, it shows the deceit. They have made baseless accusations that India was involved in the assassination of an Indian national who had become a Canadian citizen, a wanted terrorist. The claims that Prime Minister Trudeau has regularly made now have zero evidence to back them up.
"They are attempting to implicate the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats in Canada to get away from that," he continued. In my opinion, the Indian government would be wise to withdraw our mission from India and expel all Canadian diplomats if that becomes necessary. Does Trudeau, as prime minister, want to take that route? I have no doubt that the Canadian government will respond appropriately through the Ministry of External Affairs to his completely inappropriate actions.
"Credible allegations" of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been made by Justin Trudeau. Claiming that the accusations are "absurd" and "motivated," India has refuted them all and accused Canada of allowing anti-India and extremist groups to operate inside the country.
Accusations have been leveled against India by Trudeau, according to Katoch. But none of those accusations have been proven by him. Prime Minister Trudeau has leveled certain complaints against India," the defense expert said in response to a question about whether Trudeau's dependence in front of a commission indicates animosity. However, he has failed to provide evidence to support any of those claims. The Australian public and the country's courts are demanding to know: where is the evidence? A court has requested his testimony. And he doesn't actually have anything to say.
These are baseless accusations that he is bringing up because he is speechless. He goes on to explain that the Indian High Commissioner and Indian diplomats are also people of interest. With no response to provide to their own panel, which was mandated by their own government and judiciary, Mr. Trudeau's dissatisfaction is evident, he said.
Dhruv Katoch brought up the fact that some countries have been funding terrorist groups, especially those in the Khalistani subcontinent, who are hostile to India's interests. He emphasised that this is all part of a bigger plan by some countries to keep India under pressure.
I think for a very long time, there are certain nations which have given support to extremist elements, especially Khalistani extremist forces who are fighting against Indian interests," Katoch said in response to a question regarding the rationale behind the Trudeau government's aid to terrorists. In addition to the United States, they live in Canada, the United Kingdom, and even Germany. Now, I believe this is all a part of a bigger plan by some countries; they want to maintain pressure points on India, and they don't want its economy to grow any faster than it already has. Therefore, these are just pressure points; they are only methods that they are employing in their propagandize against this terrorist group.
One of these terrorists, he said, even went to Canada on a false passport. Nonetheless, despite being aware of his unlawful intent, the Canadian government settled him in Canada and granted him citizenship.
One of these terrorists has really gone to Canada with a phony passport," Dhruv Katoch stated. The Canadian government has continued to ignore the fact that he acted with criminal intent after that. He entered the country using a false ID, but that was completely disregarded, and he is now a permanent resident and citizen of Canada.
This hints to a broader plot in which they are purposefully fueling individuals who are currently on trial for terrorism in India but have fled to Canada, where they are receiving official backing. In his opinion, there are far bigger players involved in a calculated effort to drag India down.
The Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats were alleged to be "persons of interest" in an investigation, but in a statement released on Monday, India "strongly" rejected this diplomatic communication from Canada, calling it "preposterous imputations" and a political ploy by the Trudeau administration.
Accusing Trudeau of intentionally allowing terrorists and violent extremists "to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats and community leaders in Canada," the MEA issued a scathing statement that claimed Trudeau's animosity toward India has been evident for a long time.
There was a diplomatic message from Canada yesterday implying that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are 'persons of interest' in relation to an inquiry in that nation. The statement said that the Indian government "strongly rejects" the accusations and blames them on the "vote bank politics" objective of the Trudeau government.
"Despite several demands from our side, the Canadian government has refused to share any proof with the Government of India since Prime Minister Trudeau made specific claims in September 2023. This most recent development follows exchanges in which, once again, claims without evidence have been made. "This adds fuel to the fire that there is a clear plan to tarnish India's reputation for political benefit, using the guise of an investigation," it stated.
According to the release, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma has been an esteemed diplomat for 36 years and is the longest serving Indian official. Japan, Sudan, Italy, Turkey, Vietnam, and China are among the countries he has represented as an ambassador. According to the statement, the Canadian government's accusations against him are ridiculous and should be handled with disdain.
