The problem of the “White Man”, particularly from Canada, the UK, the USA and Australia, is that he still thinks that India was a slave – a nation of “Snake Charmers” or of impoverished people donned in tatters. The “White Man” was not prepared to believe that India was economically and militarily leap-frogging ahead of them. This is despite the fact known to them that at the most recent count, 60 of the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are of Indian origin. Most of them are flooded at the lower levels too. NASA is tearing at seams with scientists of Indian origin. They also ought to know what Indian immigrants were doing in the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavian countries and also South East Asia. Admittedly, India’s soft power is now gripping the world. Obviously, it hurts the pride of the “white man” and his arrogance comes to the fore.

Ironically, even Canada’s Justin Trudeau government was surviving with support from Indian extremists, known as Khalistan exponents, belonging to the New Democratic Party of Canada, headed by Jasmeet Singh Dhaliwal. Therefore, by accusing the Indian government of the murder of a known terrorist (Hardeep Singh Nijjar), Justin Trudeau, not only exposed himself and the Western world but has shown how shallow was their fight against terrorism. It also rips apart their sworn principle of sovereignty. No more, Canada, the USA and the UK can fool the rest of the world in the name of freedom of expression (FoE). The incidents such as attacking Hindu temples (Australia); the Indian High Commission, as well as burning of the Indian flag by miscreants (UK) and attacking the Indian consulate (California – USA) are not freedom of expression.

The worst was in Canada when a Tableau was taken out by Khalistani extremists, depicting a Sikh radical shooting at a statue of Indira Gandhi, former PM of India, who was killed by her own security guards. If harbouring such terrorists was FoE, then, the killing of Nijjar, too, notwithstanding as to who did it, was “safeguarding of Indian Integrity”. Trudeau has spoilt the bilateral relations between the two nations, just because of one murder of a known terrorist, without any solid evidence but based on his speculation. His arrogance was visible when against all principles of diplomacy, he gave vent to his personal but unproven hunches. His laughable excuse was that Canada believed in free speech but would not tolerate a violation of its sovereignty. It is an apt replication of a saying, “Preachers, preach yourself, first”!

Trudeau has spoilt the bilateral relations between the two nations only because of one murder of a known terrorist, without any solid evidence but based on his speculation. His arrogance was visible when, against all principles of diplomacy, he gave vent to his personal but unproven hunches.

Turning a blind eye to such acts of extremism, in their own countries, West smacks of a larger conspiracy to divide and destabilise India. Didn’t the USA violate Pakistan’s sovereignty, when it killed Osama Bin Laden on May 01/02 , 2011 in Pakistan? So, all this talk of “freedom of expression” (FoE) pales, when it comes to harbouring “most wanted persons” of other nations! Western intelligence agencies are known to have breached the sovereignty of other nations to eliminate their dissidents. Is it their exclusive right? The very act of harbouring criminals and extremists from other countries in the name of FoE is a violation of the sovereignty of the affected nation. There couldn’t be a bigger lie than the arrogance of Justin Trudeau and his elk in the USA, the UK, Australia and Germany.

By his unsubstantiated accusation, Justin Trudeau tried to make the world believe as if NO murder had ever taken place in Canada and NO murder would ever take place in future too. But under his very nose, another Khalistan activist, Sukha Duneke, was killed on September 18, 2023! It is claimed by a gangster organisation, based in Canada and headed by Lawrence Bishnoi. There is obviously a gang war among Khalistan protagonists, primarily for Control of Gurdwaras in Canada, because of the huge amount of cash flow to them. Now what has Justin Trudeau to say? He has broken all norms of diplomacy by giving vent to his unproven hunches. As a Prime Minister of a civilised nation, he ought to have exercised restraints! Emotional outbursts are never a treatise of a real truth!

Why does he forget the killing of a Baloch separatist leader of Pakistan, Karima Baloch, in December 2020? It is alleged by the Baloch separatists that it was done at the behest of ISI of Pakistan. Did Justin Trudeau accuse Pakistan, then, of Karima‘s murder? Her body was found in a stream. In her case, too, murderers were neither caught nor identified. What made him react so unintelligently in the case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, after three months of his murder, to accuse India without any evidence? There has to be a personal reason, that points towards his political survival on Sikh extremists’ support to his government.

Canada, today, is a “safe haven” for terrorism. Khalistani terrorists are given shelter there. After Pakistan, it is the second best place for Indian extremists to seek sanctuary – most of them enter illegally but manage citizenship through the political naivety of politicians like Justin Trudeau. He has a family history of supporting Khalistan’s separatists. It may be noted that the bombing of an Air India plane, Kanishka, was carried out by a Canada-based mastermind, Talwinder Parmar, in June 1985. The Government of India sought his extradition. But Pierre Trudeau, then Prime Minister and father of Justin Trudeau, declined to extradite him. It might be noted that out of 329 passengers who were killed in the bombing of Kanishka, over 270 were Canadian Citizens. This is the history of protecting the sovereignty of Canada by the family of Justin Trudeau.

Canada, today, is a ‘safe haven’ for terrorism. Khalistani terrorists are given shelter there. After Pakistan, it is the second-best place for Indian extremists to seek sanctuary – most of them enter illegally but manage citizenship through the political naivety of politicians like Justin Trudeau.

The Trudeau family has a special love for Khalistan activists. It has been ruling Canada, for the most part, since 1968. His father ruled for 15 years from 1968 to 1983. Justin Trudeau has been in office since November 2015. The militant Sikhs are their political strength to grab power in Canada. This is why Khalistani extremists find themselves safe in Canada, after Pakistan. The present regime of Justin Trudeau was supported by an extremist party called the New Democratic Party. Thus, he was under obligation to keep his alliance partner amused. This led him to make a wild-cum-sweeping statement on the killing of the Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh.

But it was not only backfiring on him but has embarrassed his Western allies such as the USA, the UK and Australia too. They might have sympathies with him, in private, but they cannot support him in public. With the changing geopolitics and economic matrix, India has come into the centre stage of global affairs. The West and particularly the USA cannot annoy and ignore India. Her reaction to Justin Trudeau’s unsubstantiated claim has been very strong and aggressive. This has shaken not only Canada and the USA but also the rest of Europe. In his unthoughtful action, Justin Trudeau has damaged the geopolitical applecart of the USA and the West. It will take a long time to repair.

The Trudeau family has a special love for Khalistan activists. It has been ruling Canada, for the most part, since 1968. His father ruled for 15 years from 1968 to 1983. Justin Trudeau has been in office since November 2015. The militant Sikhs are their political strength to grab power in Canada.

The geopolitical reality of the world today dictates to the USA and the West that they need India more than India needs them. The Russo-Ukraine war, since February 2022, and China’s aggressive stance has threatened to shift the balance of power. India is the key actor in global affairs today to tilt the balance. The USA is strongly banking upon India to checkmate China, which has opted to side with Russia. In order to checkmate China in the Indo-Pacific region, an alliance of four nations (Quad) was created. They are India, Japan, the USA and Australia. If India pulls out, it would be the end of Quad. This is why the allies of Canada are not supporting Canada. Should they do so, India might change her stance!

Justin Trudeau, has, thus, become a persona non-grata for the USA and the West. India would like him to go if they want Indian support. Otherwise, Russia is waiting with open arms to welcome India into her camp. This is why the Chinese reaction to this incident has been muted and guarded. The only nation that supports Justin Trudeau is Pakistan. But this is why they say that birds of the same feather flock together. No wonder, both are now known as safe sanctuaries for the terrorists. Justin Trudeau, no doubt, is now the “White Man’s” burden – who would be soon dumped into the dustbin of the political history of Canada. He has committed an unforgivable blunder. It is nothing but yet again a “white man’s” frustrated “arrogance”!

-An ex-NDA and Wellington Staff College graduate, Col Rajinder Singh is a renowned author and security analyst. He has authored four books, two individually and two in collaboration. His best-selling books are Kashmir – A Different Perspective and The ULFA Insurgency. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda