INDIA-CANADA TENSION

INDIA-CANADA TENSION

**Author:- Dipti Roy, a student of Calcutta University

India and Canada had a friendly relation between each other. A lot of Indian Students go to Canada for every year for the purpose of study. According to Times of India, more than 300,000 Indian students went to Canada for the purpose of study in the last year. Not only regarding education but also the business between the two countries is in a good position.

But the tension arises when the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudo raised an allegation that India has a ‘credible allegation against potential link’ in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.

• About Hardeep Singh Nijjar:

Mr. Nijjar was born at Punjab in India. After that he took the Canadian citizenship. He was actively involved in the Khalistan Movement. He had a strong political connection also in Canada. The Sikh community in Canada is very strong. Now, Mr. Nijjar was assassinated in Canada and the allegation rose by the present P.M. in Canada that India has some ‘potential link’ in this murder case. The meaning is that Indian played a role to commit a murder of a Canadian citizen. 

• Relation of Khalistan Movement in the Case:

To discuss the portion, it is important to know about Khalistan Movement. So, in the time of independence of India, the demand for a separate country only for the Sikhs’ is raised. They wanted to give the name of the country as Khalistan. Thus, the movement is known as Khalistan Movement. 

   The Sikh community has a strong political and economical power in Canada who supports the Khalistan movement strongly. In India, there is a great affect of the movement. The killing of the former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi had a connection with this movement.

• Present Political Scenario of Canada:

The present political scenario of Canada is also quite complex. The present Prime Minister belongs from the Liberal Party. In the last election of 2019 the party needs to re-election for a second mandate. In 2023 there is the election in Canada. On the other hand Jagmeet Singh who belongs from the New Democratic Party is a srrong opposition of The Liberal Party. The leader of New Democratic Party is a Sikh by religion. So, this issue has a connection to the religion also.    

• Current Geo-politics relating to this case and position of India:

In the burning issue, it is very important to discuss the geo-politics. The connection and support of the developed country plays a very important role. Initially, India was asking for the proof of the allegation of the Canadian P.M. but they are not provided still now. On the other hand, the other big countries are trying to be quite neutral without taking the part of anyone of them.   

• Conclusion:

The situation may change in any time and it may also take a lot time to solve the problem. Whoever proves he right, the common people of both the countries have to suffer a lot in economy because a trade is already canceled due to the conflict between India and Canada. The students also face problems regarding their education. So, it will be better for both the countries to solve the problem as soon as possible.