'Trudeau’s remark was wrong’: Indians in Canada express concerns over strain in ties

Indians in Canada feel that the claims made by Justin Trudeau against the Indian government’s alleged link over the killing of Khalistani terrorist was “wrong”. “Being a Prime Minister, you cannot claim anything that you cannot later prove. Whatever the Canadian PM (Trudeau) said was wrong. Now that he has said it, he should be able to support his statement,” Canadian citizen of Indian origin Gurjant Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. Last week, Trudeau made an explosive charge that his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government were behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Nijjar." “Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau had said. The statement by Canada PM Trudeau triggered a massive diplomatic row between the two countries, with the Indian government rejecting the allegation as “absurd”. India said that Canada did not share any specific information regarding its charges, flagging “politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country. India has also accused Canada of not acting upon “specific evidence about criminal activities” done by Canada-based individuals. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has prepared a list of 19 fugitive Khalistani terrorists living in UK, US, Canada, Dubai, Pakistan and other countries whose properties are also likely to be confiscated. ‘Resolve the issue amicably’ Meanwhile, the Indian community in Canada has expressed concerns over the recent strain in ties between India and Canada and they feel that issue between India and Canada should be resolved “amicably”. Highlighting the plight of Indians in Canada, senior Canadian journalist Harleem Sadia said common people have been finding it difficult to travel to India and Canada. “It is difficult for people who lead normal lives, have regular jobs,” Sadia was quoted as saying by ANI. Gurjant too said that he feels the issue between India and Canada should be resolved through dialogue. “I am very concerned about the matter and I think everything should be resolved through dialogue. Anything, any issue can be discussed, solved at the table. Both the Indian and Canadian governments should put up their point of views while remaining within their lines, boundaries.” he said. Gurjant further said any demands should be made within the line, by keeping control on “our language, emotions." He further said, being a Sikh, both India and Canada are extremely important to him and the recent tensions deeply concern him. ‘Relations should get better for Indian students in Canada’ Canadian citizen Ajaib Singh has said relations between the two countries should get better for the sake of Indian students studying in Canada. “Students come to Canada for a better future. They study here, get good jobs and also become residents here. Parents also want their children to have a better future in Canada. Some also go back to India after their studies. They also go back for a better future,” Ajaib said. “For the sake of these students, I pray that relations between India, Canada get better,” he said. India, Canada should resolve their issues at the table and that visa ban is not the solution, innocent people should not be punished, Ajaib said. “I urge the leaders of both countries to sit at the table, resolve the issue amicably,” he added. On Thursday, India said security threats being faced by the country’s High Commission and Consulates in Canada have disrupted their normal functioning and they are temporarily unable to process visa applications. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that “disrupts the functioning of our consulates”. With inputs from ANI