India's Concerns Over Canada's Response to Khalistani Issue and Impact on Bilateral Ties

During an interactive session, India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, expressed concerns regarding Canada's approach to the Khalistani issue, suggesting that it may be influenced by domestic political considerations. He emphasized that India would be compelled to respond if the activities of pro-Khalistani separatists and extremist elements in Canada posed a threat to its national security and territorial integrity. Jaishankar further highlighted how the Khalistani issue has adversely affected the bilateral ties between the two nations in recent years.

India's External Affairs Minister expresses concerns over Canada's response to the Khalistani issue, highlighting its impact on bilateral relations.

Canada's Response and Political Considerations: 

Jaishankar criticized Canada for what he perceived as a longstanding issue concerning the Khalistani movement. He alleged that Canada's responses were constrained by domestic political considerations, indicating that electoral considerations were influencing their actions. The minister voiced India's concerns regarding Canada providing a platform for pro-Khalistani separatists and extremist elements and urged Canada to address this matter seriously.

India's Warning and Commitment to National Security: 

India has made it unequivocally clear to Canada that it would respond if any activities originating from Canadian soil were to jeopardize India's sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national security. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to safeguarding its national security, emphasizing that this commitment is non-negotiable. While the nature of the dialogue with Canada on this issue has not always been satisfactory, India remains resolute in its position, which has visibly impacted the bilateral relations between the two countries in recent times.

Negative Incident and India's Condemnation: 

India recently condemned Canada after images surfaced on social media depicting a float in Brampton allegedly celebrating the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This incident further underscored India's concerns regarding the support and activities of pro-Khalistani elements within Canada.

India's Stance on Pakistan and Terrorism: 

Addressing the India-Pakistan relationship, Jaishankar stated that India cannot normalize its ties with a nation that supports cross-border terrorism. He emphasized that terrorism should never be accepted as a normal state of affairs, and discussions with Pakistan cannot be based on such a foundation. India firmly asserts that until Pakistan renounces its policy of promoting cross-border terrorism, it is impossible to establish a normal relationship between the two countries.

India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, has expressed concerns over Canada's response to the Khalistani issue, suggesting that domestic political considerations may be influencing Canada's stance. He reiterated India's resolve to respond if activities in Canada threaten its national security and territorial integrity. The impact of the Khalistani issue on bilateral relations between India and Canada has been palpable in recent years. Furthermore, India maintains that it cannot normalize relations with Pakistan until Pakistan abandons its policy of cross-border terrorism.