Opinion: Candian PM Trudeau will be in India but 'Khalistani' issue casts a shadow on bilateral ties

India and Canada have much in common – democracy, cultural and ethnic diversity, complimentary economies, rule of law and the English language, among other attributes. The large Indian diaspora - affluent, educated and industrious - of over 1.25 million (in a country of merely 35 million people) should have, in the normal course, been instrumental in fostering great bilateral bonhomie. But that was not to be!

There were good reasons why the Indian Prime Ministerial (Narendra Modi) visit to Canada happened after a gap of forty-two years, in April 2015. The first was the sanctions imposed by Ottawa after India’s nuclear test in Pokhran in 1974. That issue was finally put to rest in 2010 with the conclusion of a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement. A conservative government led by Stephen Harper was then in power.

The second is the ‘Khalistani’ issue, which continues to bedevil the ties. Khalistani elements continue to find a safe haven in Canada, from where they engage in anti-India activities unabashedly. Incidentally, the Kanishka bombing in 1985 is still vivid in public memories. Thanks to vote bank politics, Canadian politicians have few qualms about showing up at events, which eulogise Khalistani terrorists. Indian protestations, over the decades, at all levels, have had little impact.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Indians, 95 per cent of whom were Sikhs from rural Punjab, started trickling-into Vancouver, Canada in the late 19th century. They took up blue collar jobs in the lumber industry or farms. Canadian preference for highly skilled people, from the 1960s onwards, spurred Indians from across the nation to migrate.

All the same, the Sikhs moved to Canada in numbers, some feigning political persecution in India, during the late 70s and early 80s, coinciding with the rule of Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Gradually, they developed dense pockets in Vancouver (Surrey and Abbotsford) and Toronto (Mississauga and Brampton). Consequently, they could tilt the electoral balance, in 4 to 6 federal parliamentary constituencies (called ridings in Canada). And, therein, lies the rub.

The Sikhs comprise about 40 per cent of the Indian diaspora, around 350,000 of who are eligible to vote. This constitutes a significant number in Canadian politics, as the ridings are small in size. The community, generally, favours the Liberal party and, hence, is actively wooed. Non-Sikhs, on the other hand, are more widely dispersed, are not so politically active or willing to loosen their purse strings, vote on merit and are inclined more towards the Conservatives.

The Sikhs have established many Gurdwaras (temples), particularly, in the Greater Toronto and Vancouver regions. Over time the hardliners have managed to wrest control of a number of them along with the sizeable offerings that they receive annually from the devotees. This has given them financial muscle and influence, which they use with impunity.

Some Gurdwaras display pictures of terrorists, presented as ‘martyrs’. Processions and events are regularly organised where fiery speeches are delivered, objectionable tableaux displayed and even kids made to brandish unsheathed swords. Clearly, an attempt is afoot to radicalise the Sikh (Canadian) youth, while the state looks the other way. Gurdwara funds are being misused with some finding their way into wrong hands in India.

It goes unsaid that an overwhelming majority of the community does not endorse the outlook or activities of these elements. Recently, Government of India's initiatives to slash the visa blacklists and reach out to the fence-sitters has helped. Many of them have since visited India and seen through the separatist propaganda.

However, it is the continuing appearance of Canadian politicians, at radical platforms, which give the latter the oxygen to publicity. It must be said to the credit of Conservatives that they had recalibrated their stance of late. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit in April 2015, then Prime Minister Harper had publicly stated that his government was committed to the unity and integrity of India.

The thumping Liberal victory in the October 2015 general elections has boosted the morale of the separatists. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was present at an event in Toronto, in May last year that featured Khalistani flags and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Earlier in April 2016, he rightly hailed the contributions of the Sikh community during the Baisakhi Day celebrations at the Parliament, but without mentioning India even once.

The stock response of the Canadian side, whenever the matter is raised, is that freedom of speech is guaranteed by their Constitution. They plead ignorance of the noxious aspects. The disposition of our Canadian friends is not likely to change, till such time as they give due weightage to ties with India and are willing, at worst, to lose a bunch of votes in a few ridings. The ball is squarely in the Canadian court.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)