Justin Trudeau diplomatic row with India: Tensions between India and Canada have reached new heights after the Trudeau administration expelled six Indian diplomats, accusing them of involvement in a campaign targeting Canadian citizens. The move follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claim that Indian agents were behind the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India.Timing of Trudeaus aggressionTrudeaus escalated stance towards India comes at a critical moment, as his political popularity in Canada plummets ahead of the upcoming elections. While he insists on non-cooperation from India and points to agents in Nijjars killing, this diplomatic row coincides with growing dissatisfaction among Canadians, particularly over economic policies.Trudeaus falling approval ratingsWith inflation, healthcare concerns, and rising crime rates troubling Canadians, a recent Ipsos poll revealed that only 26% of voters see Justin Trudeau as the best candidate for prime minister. He currently trails Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by 19 points. This decline follows two significant electoral defeats, including a loss in Montreal, a seat held by the Liberal Party for decades. Adding to Trudeaus woes, the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, withdrew its support for his minority government.Singh, a vocal Khalistan supporter, has fueled speculation that Trudeaus hard stance on India might be an attempt to consolidate his separatist votebank, particularly among Canadas Sikh community.Canadas Sikh population and the Khalistan issueCanadas 770,000-strong Sikh population represents the countrys fourth-largest ethnic group, with a significant faction supporting the Khalistan movement. India has consistently objected to Trudeaus leniency toward pro-Khalistan separatists, a sentiment that traces back to Trudeaus controversial 2018 visit to India. His administration has refrained from curbing anti-India protests at consulates, and Trudeaus inaction on the Khalistan referendum and controversial floats depicting Indira Gandhis assassination has further strained relations.The Assassination of Hardeep Singh NijjarThe diplomatic fallout intensified when Trudeau accused India of orchestrating the June 2023 killing of Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani figure. India vehemently denied the claims and demanded proof, which Canada has yet to provide. The aftermath has seen both nations suspend trade talks, India halt visa services for Canadian citizens, and both countries withdraw diplomats.Trudeau on his fathers pathThe current situation echoes a similar diplomatic rift in the 1980s, when Justin Trudeaus father, Pierre Trudeau, faced criticism for mishandling the Khalistan issue. The elder Trudeaus government refused Indias extradition request for Talwinder Singh Parmar, a terrorist linked to the 1985 Kanishka bombing.
