Justin Trudeau’s infamous India visit

Ever since his touchdown in New Delhi on 17^th February for eight-day long visit, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been making headlines for various reasons. Devoid of warm hugs, twitter welcomes, and personal reception extended to several other World leaders by Indian Prime Minister at the airport, the visit was in news for negative reasons.  The ostensible cool reception referred to as “Royal Snub” by media was markedly visible. While the Trudeau’s family made every effort to impress the hosts with traditional namaste as they descended the flight, just a low-key welcome awaited them. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Gajendra Shekhawat received them. Interestingly, Trudeaus were meted out similar reception on their next stopover Taj Mahal with district officials accompanying them at Agra. Though Indian officials maintained that the normal diplomatic protocol was followed an allure of displeasure was palpable.

To begin with, unlike other state visits which puts business on high pedestal, Trudeau’s itinerary perplexed foreign affairs wonks with just half a day allocated for official engagements in Delhi in the eight-day long visit. The trip which was planned by Indo-Canadian Minister Navdeep Bains and implemented by Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel, extended by a day, riddled by inconsistencies sent confusing signals. Ideally, Trudeau should have focused on finishing his official engagements at New Delhi. Receiving the ceremonial guard of honor bestowed on foreign dignitaries at the onset of Indian tour would have set the tone for the visit. The high optics of two prime ministers warmly exchanging pleasantries could have subdued the disenchantment towards the Canadian foreign of pandering to separatists. Instead the cultural gallivanting diplomacy replaced it. Trudeaus visited Taj Mahal, elephant conservation centre at Mathura, Harmandir Sahib Amritsar, Sabarmati Ashram & Akshardham Temple Ahmedabad, Bollywood night at Mumbai, Jama Masjid, Delhi and even tried their hand at cricket. Aside, the upbeat cultural diplomacy, Trudeau met business leaders at Mumbai and had 90-minutes roundtable with Woman business leaders. He managed to obtain $1billion investments from Indian firms. The ineffable cultural attunement displayed by Trudeaus was mesmerizing and will bode well in buttressing electoral fortunes in the upcoming 2020 elections. While the virtue signaling will entail rich electoral benefits this wouldn’t cut much ice with the Modi regime which is annoyed by Trudeau’s policies.

Initially Canadian delegation announced that they would visit the Harmandir Sahib but wouldn’t meet Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh who condemned Trudeau’s policy of Khalistan separatist appeasement. Singh was highly critical of Canadian Defense Minister, Harjit Singh Sajjan, a Khalistan sympathizer and refused to meet him last year on his Punjab visit. But the unexpected backlash and India’s chilly reception forced the Canadian PMO to reach out to Singh at the eleventh hour. Singh finally held 25 minutes long meeting discussing business ties and people to people interaction with Trudeau and met Harjit Singh Sajjan who accompanied Canadian delegation.  With the Khalistan sentiment on a crescendo, Trudeau reaffirmed support to “one United India” as a damage control. But remarked, “We will stand against violent extremism, but we understand that diversity of views is one of the greatest strengths of Canada” in the same breath. Critics immediately took to Twitter contending Trudeau’s support for the unity of a seven decades old independent country. Moreover, with the parting statement clearly intent on pandering separatist voices, despite his charm offensive, Trudeau failed to impress.

To resurrect much neglected ties with Canada, Modi made a historic visit to Canada in 2015 becoming first prime minister to conduct bilateral meetings after 42 years. He reached out to Canada in a big way, travelled to Toronto and Vancouver. Modi addressed Indian diaspora at Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto, and laid foundations for a strategic partnership with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Modi secured land mark nuclear energy agreement for supply of Uranium for supply of 3.2 million kilograms over a period of five years. Canadian company Cameco Corporation produces 16% of World’s Uranium and India clinched the deal with the company after it stopped supply 45 years ago. Canada, largest producer of Uranium has played a crucial role in the development of Indian nuclear program. It supplied Uranium to India’s first reactor CIRUS in 1954. The supply of Uranium was stopped to India in 1970s when Pierre Trudeau banned nuclear exports to India after the nuclear tests in 1974. India had good relations with Canada till 1960’s because of Nehru’s close personal ties with Canadian Prime Ministers. India had been largest recipient of Canada’s aid under Colombo plan. But two incidents crippled Indo-Canadian ties- the 1974 Smiling Buddha peaceful nuclear tests and the June 1985 attack on Air India flight from Toronto to New Delhi which blew over Atlantic Sea killing all the 329 passengers on board including 182 Indo-Canadians. Investigations clearly indicated that plotters of the bomb attack were Sikh militants living in Canada.

In 1980’s at the height of the Khalistan movement, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched Operation Blue star in June 1984 to flush out the Sikh separatist leaders holed up in the Harmandir Sahib. This operation led to death of Sikh militant leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amreek Singh and General Shahbeg Singh. Incensed Sikhs later assassinated Gandhi. Aggrieved Congress regime unleashed a pogrom killing thousands of Sikhs. By 1980s Canada had sizeable Sikh population after 1984 the number steadily swelled. Khalistan sympathizers found safe havens in Canada. Canada a home to half million influential Sikh community who account for 1.4% of the population. Trudeau’s Liberal Party has pandered to Sikh community to come to power. Trudeau cabinet has four Sikhs and all of them are accused of being sympathetic to Khalistan cause. Owing to Trudeau’s support, Sikh terrorism is witnessing a massive revival. In December 2017, the management committee of 14 Gurudwaras in Canada has imposed a ban on the entry of Indian diplomats. Similar declarations followed in UK, US and Australia. India now fears the steady built up of offshore radicalism which can potentially reignite latent narratives in Punjab. In April 2017, Canadian legislature passed a motion describing the 1984 Sikh riots as “genocide”. Member of Provincial Parliament of Liberal Party, Harinder Malhi moved the motion and Jagmeet Singh, who was denied a visa by India in 2013, leader of opposition New Democratic Party supported it. Jagmeet Singh, refused to condemn the actions of Talwinder Singh Parmar, the mastermind behind the bombing of Air India flight. Reports indicate that some of the non-violent activist groups in Canada have closely aligned with Kashmir Separatists. Despite Indian concerns, Trudeau chose to openly court the Sikh militants. Trudeau regime interprets Khalistan movement as a backlash against the violation of human rights of Sikhs which gradually snow-balled into a secession movement. It claims to be sympathetic to the freedom of the expression of the vocal minority. Clearly Trudeau has missed the forest for woods and refuses to even contemplate on the enormity of Sikh radicalism that is slowly rearing its tentacles.  Trudeau attended the rally carried out on Khalsa Day glorifying the Sikh separatist leaders who died in the Operation Blue Star. India took serious objection to Trudeau felicitating separatist elements. Despite several attempts Canadian High Commission refused to take a stand on Trudeau’s position on Khalistan issue.  On the Annual Khalsa Parade Day Ontario Gurudwaras committee passed a resolution in support of holding referendum in 2020. Smitten by dubious interpretations, in May 2017, Canada denied entry to retired CRPF officer at the Vancouver airport deeming him to have served a government which engages in “terrorism, systematic or gross human rights violations or genocide”. Canada’s castigation of India as human rights abuser had perturbed India. 

Though official stand of Canadian government reaffirms support to India’s unity and integrity, Trudeau’s servile approach towards Khalistan issue and courting Sikh radicals have generated great distrust. Trudeau’s soft pedaling of separatism and Sikhs has damaged bilateral ties. On his current visit, instead of rejuvenating ties, Trudeau resorted to virtue signaling to reap electoral benefits.  India and Canada, being strong democratic countries have a lot in common. India being fastest growing market economy can be a rich market for Canada. There is a lot of scope for enhancing trade ties and boosting the bilateral trade which is $6.2 billion. India accounts for 1.95% of Canada’s global trade. Even on security front, formidable rise of China is now forcing the democratic countries to join hands and Canada may not be averse to join such an alliance. Also, China has recently unveiled plans of entering the Artic Circle which has been the exclusive dominion of few countries and Canada will have great role to play. But Trudeau preoccupied in cultural appropriation hardly bothered to engage with India.

Meanwhile, the barrage of controversies began to loom Trudeau’s visit. Amid the row of Khalistan sympathizers being part of Trudeau’s team, a journalist who protested Modi’s visit to Canada in 2015, Manvir Singh Saini accompanied Trudeau to all official events. Jaspal Atwal, member of banned Sikh extremist group, charged for attempting to kill Punjab Cabinet minister was invited to dinner at Canadian High Commission. The incident came into light after he was spotted with Gregorie Trudeau at an event in Mumbai. Following an outrage his invitation was rescinded. Interestingly, controversies galore made much news even much before official engagements hitting the headlines. These negative vibes significantly altered the atmosphere of bilateral engagement.

On 23^rd, Prime Ministers Modi and Trudeau met Hyderabad House for bilateral talks and held extensive discussions on counter terrorism, extremism, boosting trade ties. Both sides inked six pacts including one on energy cooperation. Agreements are also signed in areas of education, information communication technology, sports, intellectual property rights and science& technology. The much-anticipated Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPAA) aimed at safe guarding rights of investors of both countries couldn’t be signed. Addressing the Press conference, in a veiled reference to Trudeau’s soft approach towards Sikh radicalism, Modi said “there should be no space for those who misuse religion for political motives and promote separatism. We will not tolerate those who challenge unity and integrity of our countries”. Joint Statement clearly emphasized that “no country should allow its territory to be used for terrorist and violent extremist activities”. Needless to say, Modi government is miffed by Trudeau’s policies. Multiple clarifications by Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister’s office, and Canada foreign minister Chrystia Freeland as damage control failed to assuage genuine concerns of India. In all the din and clamor, Trudeau lost an opportunity to engage with India. Meanwhile, the royal snub earned by Trudeau would rightly be reckoned for all the discordant notes.

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