Present Friction Between India And Canada Unfortunate – OpEd

The Canadian government's announcement that activities of Indian High Commissioner to Canada would be probed in the case of a murder of a Sikh Canadian citizen has sent shock waves in India, with Indian government sharply reacting by asking the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and other diplomats to leave Canada and return back.  

Considering the cordial relationship between both the countries over the last several decades, persons of Indian origin living in Canada and other Indians studying or employed in Canada and Canadian citizens now in India in various capacity may feel that both the countries have over reacted. Whatever may be the recent developments, perhaps, the reaction of Indian government is due to not only the present announcement of the Canadian government about Indian High Commissioner, but also due to the fact that Khalistan separatists demanding that India should be split into a separate country for Sikhs known as Khalistan are operating in Canada without being checked by the Canadian government.

The fact is that these separatists enjoy free run in Canada and are carrying out a vicious campaign against India's interest. The stand of the Canadian government that these separatists have the freedom of speech and action, even if it is against the interest of another country, is certainly unacceptable. No affected country can accept such situation. In the event of some Canadian citizens operating in another country and act against the interests of Canada, then government of Canada would also consider the situation as unacceptable.

Canada has a mixed population with 2.1% belong to Sikh community, 2.3% being Hindus and 4.9% being Muslims with others belonging to Christianity and other religions including those who term themselves as secular (no religion).

The fact is that even with such small percentage of population in Canada, the Sikh community has a big influence in forming and running the Canadian government. This is obviously due to the fact that the Sikh community has organised themselves effectively in the political sphere. In this situation, perhaps, Canadian government has closed its eyes to the separatist movement launched by section of Sikhs in Canada.

It is surprising that the present Prime Minister of Canada seems to have failed to understand that while anyone can have freedom to live and speak in Canada, at the same time, this freedom cannot be allowed to be misused to destabilise another country. If Canadian government thinks it fit to allow such freedom to organise separatist movement against another country on Canadian soil, it virtually means that the Canadian government is indirectly a party to that separatist movement. In such a situation, the grievance of Indian government against the present Canadian government is appropriate.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan government also had such bitter feelings about the Canadian government, as it permitted the separatist movement in Sri Lanka launched by LTTE to operate freely on Canadian soil. It is widely believed that LTTE was able to become such a strong militant group largely due to the Canadian base that it enjoyed.

Canada has a 4.9% Muslim population and it is a well known fact that several acts of terrorism are carried out these days in different countries by a small, radical, section of Muslim population. One is not sure whether the Canadian government has paid adequate attention to the possibility of some extremist Muslims living in Canada using the Canadian base to launch terrorist movement elsewhere, particularly since several terrorist acts have been carried out in America and Europe by section of militant groups belonging to Islam. Would Canada allow this, if such a situation were to happen?

By allowing the Canadian soil to be used as base for organising separatist movement against other countries, a situation is developing in Canada that this peaceful country is now confronted by several violent activities and political murders. Peace in Canada is bound to be affected, if separatists and violent prone elements were to be permitted to operate in Canada on the pretext of being given freedom.  

It is absolutely necessary that the Canadian government should take a firm stand that it would not allow separatist movements against other countries to operate and flourish in Canada. If it were to do so, the relation with India would become normal and cordial, as it has been so for several decades in the past.

Historically, the relationship between India and Canada have been very cordial and Indians hold Canada in high esteem and many Indians have migrated to Canada due to its several positive attributes. Canadian government should not allow such climate to be wiped out in one stroke by confusing freedom of actions with freedom to disturb the territorial integrity of other nation by Canadian citizens, whatever religion they may belong to.

The sharp reaction of the Indian government should be seen by the Canadian government and people in Canada as inevitable and the Canadian government should exhibit the quality of a mature leadership that Canadian government is known for.