VANCOUVER: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intends to take up concerns of ‘foreign interference’, including those related to India, during the G20 summit. However, it is uncertain how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond.
Canada has publicly accused India of ‘foreign interference’ in the affairs of Canada, based on intelligence provided by Canadian intelligence authorities that New Delhi is involved in interference in Canada where about one million Sikhs reside, and a large number of them are considered pro-Khalistan and anti-Hindutva.
Trudeau’s trip comes in the wake of a petition brought by the Canadian Sikh community, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the recent assassination of Sikhs For Justice and Khalistan Referendum’s Canadian chapter leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the possible involvement of Indian foreign elements.
Trudeau’s arrival in New Delhi coincides with the G20 summit, where security, gender equality, climate issues, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine are prominent topics.
Trudeau, whose government has now approved a public probe into accusations of foreign interference, is also concerned about this problem. In Singapore, he mentioned that his schedule was being finalized, and a meeting with Narendra Modi in India had not been confirmed.
Canadian Government Launches Inquiry
Trudeau, whose Liberal government recently initiated a public investigation into foreign interference allegations, also emphasized the importance of scrutinizing nations beyond just China.
The public inquiry aims to address foreign interference, with a focus on nations like China and Russia. Trudeau stressed that this commission would probe wherever the evidence led, acknowledging that other countries also engaged in interference.
New Delhi has previously claimed that elements within Canada were involved in meddling in its internal matters, especially concerning the Khalistan separatist movement, which seeks want for a portion of Punjab.
Indian High Commissioner in Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma expects Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi to meet but is uncertain about the meeting’s format.
