Trudeau’s presence at Sikh rally further inflames India ties as Canadian PM accused of ‘encouraging climate of violence’

Analysts say Trudeau’s move showed “no appreciation of Indian concerns in Canada”, with the seemingly ill-advised visit expected to further put off New Delhi from ironing out ties with Ottawa.

Nijjar was part of a movement to create an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan that had rocked northern India’s Punjab state in the 1980s and early 1990s. Today, the advocates are mostly among Punjabi overseas diaspora, many of whom are settled in the North American nation. India has often complained to Canada about the activities of Sikh hardliners.

Indian intelligence agencies were also alarmed by the presence of “Modi Wanted” banners allegedly put up at the Toronto gathering by secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in response to Nijjar’s killing, The Times of India reported.

While New Delhi has repeatedly blamed Trudeau for failing to reign in Khalistani separatists and playing “vote bank politics” with the Punjabi diaspora, observers were divided over whether the government overreacted with an eye to gain votes in ongoing Indian elections.

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“There will be no immediate impact [on India from the rally], but the point is that there is no appreciation of Indian concerns in Canada as far as Trudeau’s party is concerned,” said Harsh Pant, a professor of international relations at King’s College London.

“What it signifies is this is going to be a long term problem.

“So long as Trudeau is there, there is no appetite in India to move forward on big ticket items or revamping relations. Trudeau has also given no indication that he wants to recalibrate domestic politics.”

The Khalistan campaign has little resonance in India including