AI Generated Summary
- The envoy also dismissed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s earlier accusation that Indian agents were involved in the 2023 killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia — a claim that had led to a major diplomatic fallout between the two countries.
- India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has underscored that the rising Khalistan-linked tensions in Canada are an internal matter for the Canadian government, urging Ottawa to take responsibility for addressing separatist threats within its own borders.
- “The relationship between India and Canada is too important to be defined by misinformation or divisive politics,” Patnaik concluded, highlighting that both nations stand to benefit from mutual respect, open communication, and collaboration on global issues.
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has underscored that the rising Khalistan-linked tensions in Canada are an internal matter for the Canadian government, urging Ottawa to take responsibility for addressing separatist threats within its own borders.
Speaking on the state of India–Canada relations, Patnaik firmly rejected allegations of Indian diplomatic involvement in any criminal activity, calling such claims “preposterous and absurd.” His comments come amid ongoing discussions between New Delhi and Ottawa that aim to restore bilateral cooperation following a period of diplomatic strain.
Patnaik reiterated that the problem of Sikh separatism in Canada stems from domestic political and law enforcement challenges, rather than any external interference. “The Khalistan issue is a Canadian problem, not an Indian one,” he said, emphasizing that New Delhi’s position remains consistent: India respects Canada’s sovereignty but expects equal responsibility in curbing extremism that targets Indian interests.
The envoy also dismissed former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s earlier accusation that Indian agents were involved in the 2023 killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia — a claim that had led to a major diplomatic fallout between the two countries. “Such allegations lack any credible evidence,” Patnaik asserted.
Despite the tensions, Patnaik expressed optimism about the recent change in Canada’s political leadership, lauding Prime Minister Mark Carney for his pragmatic approach. He praised Carney’s efforts to “normalize and stabilize” ties between India and Canada, describing the renewed dialogue as a “positive step” toward rebuilding trust and enhancing cooperation on shared security concerns.
“The relationship between India and Canada is too important to be defined by misinformation or divisive politics,” Patnaik concluded, highlighting that both nations stand to benefit from mutual respect, open communication, and collaboration on global issues.
