Tensions between India and Canada have escalated significantly following the Canadian government’s allegations that India was involved in the assassination of Indian separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This accusation has strained diplomatic ties and prompted a swift reaction from India, which decided to recall its diplomatic staff from Canada in response to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims.
Putin calls Justin Trudeau an “𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘁, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲”. pic.twitter.com/Mp1Dpvadoi
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) October 6, 2023
Amid this rising discord, a year-old video of Russian President Vladimir Putin has resurfaced, in which he refers to Trudeau as a “fool.” In the viral clip, Putin criticizes Trudeau for honoring a soldier in Parliament who fought against Russia during World War II. He cautioned Trudeau that if he thought the soldier was fighting for Canada, he was indeed a “fool,” as that soldier actually fought for Germany. Putin’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding historical context in political discussions.
The situation has further intensified, with Trudeau publicly accusing the Indian High Commission of involvement in Nijjar’s murder. This unfounded allegation led India to issue an ultimatum for the expulsion of its diplomatic officials, demanding six Canadian diplomats leave by October 19. Against this backdrop, Putin’s remarks have re-emphasized the complexities of diplomatic strategies, adding another layer of difficulty to an already tense international relationship.