Ottawa/New Delhi/IBNS: In a major outreach to India after repeated faceoffs over the Khalistan issue, Canada has declared to respect India's "territorial integrity" leaving behind the sour diplomatic relation in the backdrop of the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canada had accused the Indian government agents of being involved in the killing of Nijjar, who was the most-wanted terrorist in India and also a Canadian citizen.

David Morrison, Canada's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, said recently as quoted by NDTV, "Canada's policy is very clear that India's territorial integrity must be respected. There's one India, and that's been made very clear."

Morrison made the remark while he appeared before the foreign interference commission in Ottawa.

The 'One India' remark is undoubtedly aimed at stabilising the deteriorating terms between India and Canada on the issue of Khalistan and the separatist movement in India bankrolled from abroad.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last year claimed in the country's Parliament that his government had "credible allegations" linking the killing of Nijjar in June 2023 with the "agents of the Government of India".

Asked whether India had been given any evidence of involvement in the killing, New Delhi reiterated the country's consistent stand.

"Let me first make it clear that no specific or relevant evidence or information has been shared by the Canadian authorities in regard to this matter till date. You will therefore understand our view that the matter is being pre-judged. Obviously, there are political interests at work. We have long maintained that separatists, extremists and those advocating violence have been given political space in Canada," the Indian government said.

"Our diplomats have been threatened with impunity and obstructed in their performance of duties. We have also pointed to the Canadian authorities that figures associated with organised crime with links with India have been allowed entry and residency in Canada. Many of our extradition requests are pending. We are having discussions at the diplomatic level on all these matters."

Four Indian nationals have been arrested in Canada in connection with the killing of Nijjar.

In June 2023, the Parliament of Canada had observed a moment of silence in Nijjar's memory prompting India to hold a memorial service in Vancouver paying tributes to 329 people who died in a flight bombing by Khalistani terrorists in 1985.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in June last year outside a gurdwara in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a large Sikh population.

Canada and Sikh votes

Why does the Canadian government, particularly under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration, appear to tolerate, and at times even encourage, such extremism?

According to Khalsavox.com, the answer may lie in political expediency. Canada has a significant Sikh population, many of whom are concentrated in key electoral districts.

By allowing Khalistan extremists to operate with impunity, the Trudeau administration may be attempting to appease a vocal minority in exchange for political support. This strategy, however, is fraught with risks.

First and foremost, it undermines Canada’s standing as a nation that champions human rights and opposes extremism in all its forms. By turning a blind eye to the activities of Khalistan extremists, the Trudeau administration is tacitly endorsing a movement that seeks to destabilize a democratic ally and disrupt global trade.

Moreover, this approach alienates the broader Canadian population, who view the government’s inaction as a betrayal of the values that Canada purports to uphold.

Secondly, it sends a dangerous message to other extremist groups around the world: that extremism can be a viable path to achieving political goals, provided it is wrapped in the rhetoric of social justice or minority rights. This not only emboldens other separatist movements but also risks dragging Canada into international conflicts that it has no reason to be involved in.