Indian High Commissioner Alleges Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s Ties to Khalistani Extremists
New Delhi, 25th October 2024: Recalled Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma stated that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau associates with individuals who have ties to Khalistani extremists and anti-India factions. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Verma asserted that the Trudeau government is protecting Khalistani extremists for political gain.
“Justin Trudeau has several friends who are anti-Indian and include Khalistani extremists in his circle. We witnessed this during his visit to India in 2018. There are individuals around him who sympathize with the Khalistani movement,” Verma remarked.
During Trudeau’s 2018 visit to India, Khalistani supporter Jaspal Atwal was invited to official events that he attended.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated earlier this month when the Canadian government designated Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner, as “persons of interest” in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, India withdrew its diplomats and expelled six Canadian diplomats.
Regarding Canada’s claim that India has not cooperated in the Nijjar investigation, Verma stated, “We have not received any concrete evidence that could be legally shared with us. We were simply fulfilling our duties under the Vienna Convention framework and have not acted in violation of it.”
Trudeau acknowledged that his government only possesses “intelligence” but lacks “evidentiary proof” linking Indian government officials to Nijjar’s assassination.
The Vienna Convention is an international treaty that delineates the rights and responsibilities of consular officials and the operation of consulates.
The recalled envoy noted that Khalistani extremists have engaged in disruptive behaviour outside Indian consulates, and diplomats have faced intimidation through social media. “We received continuous threats, and anyone could have been at risk. The Canadian government did provide some security for me as the High Commissioner and for two consul generals in Toronto and Vancouver. However, we had many more colleagues who needed protection beyond just the three of us,” he explained.
