Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh issued a scathing criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, accusing him of prioritising political beneficial properties over diplomatic relations and turning a blind eye in direction of Sikh extremism. In a press release shared on X, BJP chief Amarinder Singh alleged that Trudeau had been lenient in direction of people with extremist leanings to bolster his political base.
The assertion got here shortly after the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) condemned acts of violence on the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada, urging Canadian authorities to prosecute these concerned.
Reflecting on their previous interactions, Amarinder Singh recalled that in his tenure as Punjab chief minister, he had encountered resistance from the Canadian authorities regarding Sikh extremism. “Some years in the past once I was Chief Minister of Punjab, I used to be conscious of Canada’s method to Sikh extremism being prevalent in that nation, which was quick rising,” Singh acknowledged. “Trudeau not solely turned a blind eye but additionally patronised such individuals to reinforce his political base.”
Amarinder Singh went on to recount an incident the place Trudeau, accompanied by Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, visited Punjab in February 2018. He recalled how Trudeau was permitted to land in Amritsar solely after agreeing to satisfy him. Through the assembly, Amarinder Singh mentioned he introduced Trudeau with an inventory of 20 Canada-based people linked to pro-Khalistan organisations whom he accused of supporting the separatist motion.
The encounter, described as “not nice” by Globe and Mail, noticed Canadian officers promising to overview the record that had been beforehand shared with the Canadian Safety Intelligence Service (CSIS).
In his letter, Amarinder Singh remarked that since then, extremism had solely flourished in Canada, resulting in gun trafficking, medication, and gangster actions impacting Punjab. “I handed him an inventory of over twenty main people who have been actively concerned on this motion, some have been additionally members of his cupboard, considered one of whom was sitting beside him. I used to be promised that he would look into these grievances. Quite the opposite, since our assembly these nefarious actions have grown. The Kanishka bombing is now out of his thoughts and so are the opposite acts that proceed to destabilize Punjab. Our financial system continues to stagnate as Trade at all times enters when it visualizes peace and stability,” he acknowledged.
ALSO READ | ‘Such Violent Acts Will By no means Weaken India’s Resolve’: PM Modi Condemns Assault On Hindu Temple In Canada
Amarinder Singh Slams Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Over Nijjar Case Allegations
Amarinder Singh additionally commented on Trudeau’s current allegations in opposition to India in reference to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a recognized Khalistani separatist, which have strained India-Canada relations. The BJP chief criticised Trudeau for attributing Nijjar’s loss of life to Indian safety companies with out concrete proof. “Are electoral compulsions extra necessary than decades-old relationships, nationwide commitments, and age-old parliamentary traditions?” he questioned. “For Trudeau, it appears not.”
My assertion on the present Indo-Canadian scenario. pic.twitter.com/MyTlXxmZnn
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 4, 2024
The previous chief minister additional prompt that Trudeau’s insurance policies aimed toward garnering help from the Sikh group might finally backfire, resulting in a possible decline in help from the Indian diaspora. Singh concluded by expressing hope for improved India-Canada relations, remarking, “We’d like higher relations with Canada/ One formidable man shouldn’t be capable to rock a steady friendship that has existed for many years.”