Ram Singh, a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member, voiced his concerns on Sunday about the strained relations between India and Canada, urging both Prime Ministers to engage in dialogue. “Canada is also called ‘mini Punjab’… I request the PMs of both nations to hold a dialogue regarding this matter,” he told ANI, emphasizing the significance of the relationship between the two countries, especially for the large Punjabi diaspora settled in Canada.
Impact on the Punjabi Community
Highlighting the historical ties between India and Canada, Singh noted that the favorable relations have led many Punjabis to immigrate and thrive in Canada. He expressed concern that deteriorating diplomatic ties have caused distress among these individuals and their families, who have grown anxious about the escalating conflict.
Background of Tensions
The tension between India and Canada surged recently after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that there were “credible allegations” linking India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd and baseless.”
India’s MEA responded to the accusations by summoning a representative from the Canadian High Commission. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that a “diplomatic note” was issued on Friday, conveying India’s firm objections. The note protested against references made by Canadian Deputy Minister David Morrison, which included allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Calls for Diplomatic Resolution The SGPC’s Ram Singh urged both countries to engage diplomatically to prevent further strain, underscoring the longstanding friendship between India and Canada and the importance of resolving issues for the benefit of both nations and their citizens.
