News Analysis India

Tag: Justin Trudeau

  • Hardeep Singh Nijjar Death Probe: Canada Police Arrest Members Of Alleged Indian Govt-Sanctioned Hit Squad | world news

    Canadian police have arrested members of an alleged hit squad assigned by the Indian government to kill Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, according to a Canadian media report on Friday. The relationship between India and Canada deteriorated significantly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of “potential” involvement in Nijjar’s death in September of last year. Trudeau’s charges were rejected as “absurd” in New Delhi. According to sources close to the investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that police are actively investigating potential links to three additional murders in Canada, including the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton.

    Members of the hit squad played various roles on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, including shooters, drivers, and spotters, news agency PTI cited sources as saying. The men were apprehended Friday during police raids in at least two provinces.

    According to sources, investigators identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada several months ago and have been monitoring them closely. Police are expected to announce the arrests and provide some details about their investigation later Friday, according to the report.

    Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen, was fatally shot on June 18 at his Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, shortly after evening prayers. India rejected Prime Minister Trudeau’s latest remarks on the killing of Nijjar on Thursday, saying they once again demonstrated Canada’s political space for separatism, extremism, and violence.

    Trudeau spoke at a Khalsa Day event in Toronto on Sunday, which was attended by some pro-Khalistan supporters.

    On the sidelines of the event, he told the media that the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia in June last year created a “problem” that he couldn’t ignore, in an apparent reference to his previous allegations of Indian agents’ involvement in the assassination.

    India dismissed Prime Minister Trudeau’s most recent comments regarding the killing of Nijjar on Thursday, claiming they furthered the political space in Canada for violence, extremism, and separatism. Some pro-Khalistan supporters were present when Trudeau spoke on Sunday during a Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto.

    In apparent reference to his earlier claims of Indian agents being involved in the assassination, he told the media on the fringes of the event that the death of Nijjar in British Columbia in June of last year created a “problem” that he couldn’t ignore. .

    India requested that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic presence in the nation to maintain parity a few days after Trudeau’s accusations. Canada then removed 41 diplomats from India along with their families.

    India has maintained that the space given to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements in Canada is still its “core issue” with that country. In response to Trudeau’s accusations from the previous year, India temporarily stopped issuing visas to citizens of Canada. A few weeks later, the visa services were once again offered.

  • Video Emerges Of Killing Of Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar In Canada | world news

    A purported video has surfaced, asserting the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an individual marked as a terrorist by India, Canada-based CBC News reported. As per CBC the footage depicts individuals armed with weapons shooting Nijjar, categorizing the incident as a 'contract killing.' Nijjar had been labeled a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020 and was reportedly shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023. The presumed intentional killing of the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. led to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging the Indian government's participation. This accusation, denied by India, contributed in worsening of diplomatic ties between India and Canada.

    What's In The Video?

    The footage captures Nijjar departing Gurdwara's parking lot in his gray Dodge Ram pickup truck. As he nears the exit, a white sedan obstructs his path, and two individuals quickly approach, firing at Nijjar. Subsequently, they fled in a silver Toyota Camry, according to CBC News. Two eyewitnesses, engaged in a soccer game in a nearby field at the time, shared that upon hearing the gunshots, they rushed towards the source and attempted to pursue the attackers.

    Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) has released alleged video footage of the killing of India designated khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by unknown armed men last year.

    Report claims a well planned attack/ contract killing involving two vehicles and six persons pic.twitter.com/KDdNscdwcK — Megh Updates ™ (@MeghUpdates) March 9, 2024

    A witness, Bhupinderjit Singh Sidhu, told The Fifth State that he and his friend saw those two guys running, and then he started running towards the noise. He even told his friend to chase the shooter on foot while he was trying to help Nijjar. Sidhu further explained that he tried to shake him to see if Nijjar was breathing and found that he was unconscious. While Sidhu's friend Malkit Singh said that he chased the two men until they got into the Toyota Camry, he saw three others sitting in that car.

    As per CBC News, the video has been verified by more than one source and was first obtained by The Fifth Estate. The attack that involved six men and two vehicles has been described as 'highly coordinated.'

    India-Canada Diplomatic Row

    The killing of Nijjar also ignited a significant diplomatic dispute between India and Canada. In September of the previous year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in Nijjar's assassination on Canadian territory. India, however, dismissed these allegations as “absurd and motivated.”

    Meanwhile, nearly nine months after the incident, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not identified suspects or carried out any arrests in connection with Nijjar's death.

    The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Canada has not provided any supporting evidence for its assertions regarding the killing.

  • India-Canada relations going through difficult phase: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India invoked the provision of parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi’s affairs by Canadian personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday.

    The external affairs minister also said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last month of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

    Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country.

    “If we see progress in safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there,” Jaishankar said at an event while replying to a question on India-Canada ties.

    On downsizing Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, he said diplomatic parity is very much provided for in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    “Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this. In our case, we invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel,” Jaishankar said.

    Canada has already withdrawn 41 of its diplomats from India.

    Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, announcing the return of the diplomats from India, on Thursday described New Delhi’s action as “contrary to international law,” and in violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    India has already rejected the charge.

    Jaishankar said the relationship between India and Canada right now is going through a difficult phase, adding that India has problems with certain segments of Canadian politics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: India invoked the provision of parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi’s affairs by Canadian personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday.

    The external affairs minister also said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last month of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country.

    “If we see progress in safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there,” Jaishankar said at an event while replying to a question on India-Canada ties.

    On downsizing Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, he said diplomatic parity is very much provided for in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    “Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this. In our case, we invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel,” Jaishankar said.

    Canada has already withdrawn 41 of its diplomats from India.

    Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, announcing the return of the diplomats from India, on Thursday described New Delhi’s action as “contrary to international law,” and in violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    India has already rejected the charge.

    Jaishankar said the relationship between India and Canada right now is going through a difficult phase, adding that India has problems with certain segments of Canadian politics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Taylor Swift gets personal invite from Canadian PM, Thai President after her tour skips their countries

    By Online Desk

    CHENNAI: On Wednesday, Taylor Swift surprised fans by releasing an updated schedule for her European leg of the Eras Tour. This came after the international schedule of the tour had been released a month earlier.

    However, Swifties from several parts of the world were sad since their country didn’t make it to the list.

    Surprisingly, these included some political figures who slid into the Grammy winning singer’s Twitter to invite her to perform in their countries.

    The Presidents of Thailand and Chile, the Prime Minister of Canada and the mayor of Budapest are among those to have requested Swift to tour in their countries. 

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to personally invite the pop star to perform in Canada. Commenting under her tweet on the updated schedule, Trudeau wrote,  “It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.”

    It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 6, 2023
    Similarly, the newly elected Thailand President and leader of the Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat retweeted Taylor’s tweet with an invitation to perform in the Asian country. “Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours! Do come and I’ll be singing Lavender Haze with you!- Tim,” he tweeted.

    Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours!Do come and I’ll be… https://t.co/ypox90kRpL
    — Pita Limjaroenrat (@Pita_MFP) July 6, 2023
    Back in June, Matt Jeneroux, an MP from Alberta in Canada, filed an “official grievance” with the House of Commons after Swift’s tour did not include Canada. His letter mentioned how Swift not including Canada in her tour would affect the country economically. 

    “Not only is this leaving Canadian fans without the opportunity to see her tour, but it is also leaving Canada out of the economic opportunities her shows generate. It is estimated that these shows could generate $4.6 billion for local economies. Fans just don’t simply attend concerts, they spend money at local businesses including hotels, restaurants and shops,” he added.

    Meanwhile, as per reports, the American music sensation has already made more than $300 million from the first 22 dates of her Eras tour. 

    CHENNAI: On Wednesday, Taylor Swift surprised fans by releasing an updated schedule for her European leg of the Eras Tour. This came after the international schedule of the tour had been released a month earlier.

    However, Swifties from several parts of the world were sad since their country didn’t make it to the list.

    Surprisingly, these included some political figures who slid into the Grammy winning singer’s Twitter to invite her to perform in their countries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Presidents of Thailand and Chile, the Prime Minister of Canada and the mayor of Budapest are among those to have requested Swift to tour in their countries. 

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to personally invite the pop star to perform in Canada. Commenting under her tweet on the updated schedule, Trudeau wrote,  “It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.”

    It’s me, hi. I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don’t make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon.
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 6, 2023
    Similarly, the newly elected Thailand President and leader of the Move Forward Party Pita Limjaroenrat retweeted Taylor’s tweet with an invitation to perform in the Asian country. “Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours! Do come and I’ll be singing Lavender Haze with you!- Tim,” he tweeted.

    Hey Taylor! Big fan of yours. Btw, Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the coup. The Thai people have spoken via the election and we all look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful nation of ours!
    Do come and I’ll be… https://t.co/ypox90kRpL
    — Pita Limjaroenrat (@Pita_MFP) July 6, 2023
    Back in June, Matt Jeneroux, an MP from Alberta in Canada, filed an “official grievance” with the House of Commons after Swift’s tour did not include Canada. His letter mentioned how Swift not including Canada in her tour would affect the country economically. 

    “Not only is this leaving Canadian fans without the opportunity to see her tour, but it is also leaving Canada out of the economic opportunities her shows generate. It is estimated that these shows could generate $4.6 billion for local economies. Fans just don’t simply attend concerts, they spend money at local businesses including hotels, restaurants and shops,” he added.

    Meanwhile, as per reports, the American music sensation has already made more than $300 million from the first 22 dates of her Eras tour. 

  • PM Narendra Modi congratulates Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on election win

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on his election win, and said he looked forward to continue working with him to further strengthen India-Canada relations.

    Trudeau secured victory in parliamentary elections but failed to get the majority he wanted. However, he leads a strong minority government that won’t be toppled by the opposition anytime soon.

    Congratulations Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau on your victory in the elections! I look forward to continue working with you to further strengthen India-Canada relations, as well as our cooperation on global and multilateral issues.
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2021
    Modi tweeted, “Congratulations Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau on your victory in the elections! I look forward to continue working with you to further strengthen India-Canada relations, as well as our cooperation on global and multilateral issues.”

  • In talks with PM Narendra Modi, Justin Trudeau commended government’s efforts to engage farmers in dialogue: MEA

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In his telephonic talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commended the Indian government’s efforts to choose the path of dialogue in dealing with the farmer protests and described it as “befitting in democracy”, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

    Modi and Trudeau held a telephone conversation on Wednesday, covering a range of issues including the coronavirus crisis.

    “On the farmers’ protests, Prime Minister Trudeau commended efforts of the government of India to choose the path of dialogue as befitting in democracy,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing.

    His comments came following a question on the issue.

    ALSO READ: Discussed farmers’stir, resolving issues through dialogue with PM Modi, says Canada’s Justin Trudeau

    “He (Trudeau) also acknowledged the responsibility of his government in providing protection to Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in Canada,” Srivastava said.

    A readout issued by Trudeau’s office on the telephonic talks mentioned that the farmer protests figured in the discussions though the Indian statement on the same had not mentioned it.

    “The leaders discussed Canada and India’s commitment to democratic principles, recent protests, and the importance of resolving issues through dialogue,” the Canadian readout said.

    It mentioned several other issues discussed by the two prime ministers.

    Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting at three border points on the outskirts of Delhi demanding repeal of the three contentious farm laws.

    The talks between the farmers and the government are deadlocked as the farmers are insisting on complete repeal of the laws.

    In early December, Trudeau, backing the agitating farmers in India, had said that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests and had expressed concern over the situation.

    Last week, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made a comment on the issues related to the farmers and it was conveyed to Canada that such remarks pertaining to the internal affairs of India are “unwarranted” and “unacceptable”.