As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approval ratings fall, his new stance towards India looks to be a calculated move designed to gather support from the powerful Sikh population ahead of the next federal elections.
According to an Ipsos survey, only 26% of Canadians believe Trudeau is the greatest option for prime minister, trailing Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by 19 points.
This fall comes after the incumbent Liberal Party suffered two major electoral failures, including a surprise loss in Montreal, a long-time bastion, and a previous defeat in a Toronto special election after controlling the seat for three decades.
Dissent within the liberal ranks.
Adding to Trudeau’s troubles, the New Democratic Party, led by Jagmeet Singh, an advocate for Khalistan, withdrew its support from the minority Liberal administration shortly before the Montreal loss.
With nearly 770,000 Sikhs in Canada, the fourth-largest ethnic group, there is a sizable portion that supports the Khalistan movement, making Trudeau’s involvement with this population politically crucial.
Tense relationship with India.
Trudeau’s stance towards pro-Khalistan separatists have long been questioned in India.During his first official visit to India in 2018, controversy emerged over an invitation to a dinner held by the Canadian High Commission for Jaspal Atwal, a man previously convicted of plotting to kill a Punjab politician.Although the invitation was ultimately retracted, the incident called into doubt Trudeau’s position on extremism.
The Trudeau administration has also come under fire for failing to tighten down on anti-India rallies outside Canadian consulates, which have included incidences of flag burning and aggressive displays.
Relations hit rock low in 2023.
Tensions rose drastically in 2023, when Trudeau claimed that “Indian agents” were engaged in the assassination of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar upon his return from the G20 Summit in New Delhi.India vehemently disputed these allegations and sought evidence, which Canada has yet to supply.As a result, trade negotiations have been postponed, and India has temporarily paused visa processing owing to worries over the safety of its diplomatic workers in Canada.
In reaction to New Delhi’s concept of reciprocity, approximately 40 Canadian ambassadors were summoned from their Indian posts. Canada has attempted to include India in an inquiry into potential electoral involvement within its borders.
Ties associated with Khalistan terrorism
This condition is not unusual. Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, also drew criticism for his handling of Khalistani radicalism in the 1980s.At the time, Canadian authorities faced criticism for neglecting to take action against Khalistani extremists.
Pierre Trudeau declined India’s request for the extradition of Talwinder Singh Parmar, the suspected mastermind of the 1985 Kanishka bombing.
As tensions between Canada and India escalate, it is unclear how Justin Trudeau’s current political manoeuvres will affect his domestic status and the future of bilateral ties.