Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made unwarranted accusations against India following the death of a terrorist. (Image: Reuters File)
As the diplomatic stand-off between India and Canada continues, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Ottawa is not looking to escalate the situation with India.
Trudeau, who created a diplomatic storm after he linked the Government of India with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, said Canada will responsibly and constructively with New Delhi.
“Canada is not looking to escalate the situation with India, will continue to engage responsibly and constructively with New Delhi. We want to be on the ground in India to help the Canadian families there,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying.
The relations between both the countries are seeing an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged, in his Parliament, the involvement of a “foreign agent” in the killing of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He even claimed that he had intelligence inputs and evidence that the Indian government could be behind Nijjar’s death.
Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18. He was the chief of banned Khalistan Tiger Force, and was designated a terrorist by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2020. Interpol had also issued red corner notice against him quite a few times, the first one being in 2016.
India Asks Canada to Recall Its Diplomatic Staff: Govt Sources
After suspending visa processes for Canadians, New Delhi wants Ottawa to recall more than two dozen of its diplomats from India, according to top government sources.
Top government sources also said Canada cannot be “given free hand” as their non-cooperation in terror investigations is one of the main reasons why New Delhi is heading towards taking the decision to downsize Canada’s diplomatic presence in India. “Their top officials (Canada’s) come and meet and promise, but don’t deliver.”
Sukh Dhaliwal did not answer directly the question on allegations of Indian agency’s involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. (Photo: X @sukhdhaliwal)
Amid allegations that Sukhminder aka Sukh Singh Dhaliwal, Canadian MP from Surrey, is close to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is allegedly involved in pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in Canada, Justin Trudeau’s aide rubbished the claims, and assured the India government of “all help” in the matter.
Dhaliwal told News18 exclusively that “as a Member of Parliament, I would not stay close to any member of foreign agencies. Whoever is giving you this information is totally wrong and irresponsible.”
When asked why Trudeau has raised the matter of Nijjar’s killing after his return to Canada from the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, Dhaliwal refuted the claim, and said before the Canadian PM’s visit to India, his government had raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After coming to Canada, “the very first day when Parliament opened after the summer break, he (Trudeau) made the statement that a foreign state agent was involved in the killing of Nijjar”.
When confronted that the “foreign agent” could be ISI, Dhaliwal said it is clear that the “Indian agency” was involved in Nijjar’s killing.
The Canadian government has so far not provided any evidence to support its allegations of the Indian government’s involvement in Nijjars’ killing despite latter’s repeated insistence. Even Dhaliwal sounded wavering when slapped with the same question. “There is an evidence that will be shared in court. He (Trudeau) does not want to mess up the justice system. He is a firm believer in justice. The Prime Minister of Canada will not make such a statement. The Five Eyes are standing with us,” Dhaliwal stressed.
Five Eyes is an alliance comprising Australia, Canada, UK, US and New Zealand, which share intelligence information with each other.
The Indian government has time and again raised the issue of notorious Indian criminal gangs operating in Canada with Trudeau’s government, for which, New Delhi has also sent 24 Letter Rogatory to Ottawa. Dhaliwal said Canada has always “cooperated” with India. “Who gave them the fake passports? India. Who is messing up our country, it is India.” He even stressed that he never received any LRs from the National Investigation Agency nor had any discussions with them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been told that he must not insult Poland amid a growing spat between the countries, which one expert told Newsweek is being driven by the upcoming Polish election.
Since Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Poland has been one of Kyiv’s biggest backers, pledging around 4.27 billion euros (about $4.54 billion) in military, financial and humanitarian aid.
But relations have soured in recent weeks after Warsaw said it would not suspend an EU ban on Ukrainian agricultural products that Brussels had imposed earlier this year, which aimed to protect European farmers.
Ukraine filed a lawsuit against Poland, as well as Slovakia and Hungary, which also intend to continue with the ban. Then Zelensky told the United Nations’ General Assembly on September 19 how some of their friends in Europe are demonstrating political theatre, which played into Moscow’s hands.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on April 5, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. Morawiecki accused Zelensky on September 22, 2023 of insulting Poles amid a spat between the countries over a grain deal and weapons’ supplies. OMAR MARQUES/GETTY IMAGES
In response, Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to Warsaw, and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on social media that Warsaw would “no longer transfer weapons to Ukraine because we are now arming Poland.” Newsweek has contacted the Polish and Ukrainian foreign ministries by email for comment.
Polish President Andrzej Duda walked back Morawiecki’s comments. He said that they referred to new weapons being purchased for the Polish army and that Warsaw would still transfer its older weapons not required for modernizing Poland’s armed forces.
But Morawiecki took aim at Zelensky again on Friday, telling a rally in the city of Swidnik, Poland, that the Ukrainian leader must “never insult Poles again.”
“The Polish people will never allow this to happen,” Morawiecki said, adding that “defending the good name of Poland” was both “my duty and honor.”
Despite Morawiecki’s declaration, “Warsaw’s militarily support for Ukraine will not substantially change,” said Piotr Buras, head of the Warsaw office of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
Buras told Newsweek that ties between Kyiv and Warsaw have become “hostage to the Polish electoral campaign.” The ruling national-conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) and the far right Konfederacja are vying for the nationalist and anti-Ukrainian vote in Poland.
But Buras did not expect Poland’s growing assertiveness regarding Ukraine to end any time soon. Its parliamentary election on October 15 is likely to be followed by a lengthy period in which the government is formed, and a snap election in spring 2024 “cannot be ruled out.”
Top intelligence sources reveal the Indian government had sought extradition of Hardeep Singh Nijjar several times but there was no cooperation from the Canadian authorities. He was even granted the Canadian citizenship after red notice in 2014. (Reuters File Photo)
Amid a raging diplomatic row with India over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that Ottawa is not looking to “provoke or cause problems” with New Delhi and urged it to work together to “uncover the truth.” Trudeau made these remarks on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
When asked about the diplomatic row between India and Canada, he said, “We call upon the government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter.” “We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That’s our focus right now,” Trudeau added.
On measures taken by his government following India’s suspension of visa services for Canadians, Trudeau said that his government was not looking to provoke or cause problems. “There is no question that India is a country of growing importance and a country that we need to continue to work with, not just in the region but around the world. We’re not looking to provoke or cause problems. But we are unequivocal around the importance of the rule of law and unequivocal about the importance of protecting Canadians.
“That’s why we call upon the government of India, to work with us to establish processes to discover and to uncover the truth of the matter and to allow justice and accountability to be served,” he said.
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Tensions flared between India and Canada early this week following Trudeau’s explosive allegations of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on his country’s soil on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case. “I’m saying and repeating what I said on Monday afternoon. Of course, there are credible allegations that we need to take extremely seriously…,” Trudeau asserted when asked if the evidence suggested by him in the matter was extensive.
“There are credible reasons to believe that agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil,” he said, repeating his allegation. “We have a rigorous and independent justice system and robust processes that will follow their course. We call upon the government of India to engage with us to move forward on getting to the truth of this matter,” he said.
Responding to another question, Trudeau said he had “a direct and frank conversation” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the New Delhi G20 summit on September 10 in which he shared his “concerns in no uncertain terms.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier this week said that allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister to Prime Minister Modi were completely rejected.
Responding to another question, Trudeau said it’s extremely important that as a country with a strong and independent justice system, we allow those justice processes to unfold themselves with the utmost integrity. “The decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons Monday morning was not done lightly. It was done with utmost seriousness..,” Trudeau said.
In recent days, China’s Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has been under significant diplomatic and media scrutiny because of a series of overly undiplomatic comments on Nepal’s internal issues and its relations with India during a conference in Kathmandu.
India-Nepal-Relation File Image
With Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, or ‘Prachanda,’ scheduled to visit Beijing for a bilateral summit later this month, the timing, tone, and tenor of the ambassador’s rhetoric have received closer inspection.
Why would a Chinese diplomat, even one following the now infamous wolf-warrior ideology, risk undermining the success of a bilateral meeting, the outcomes of which could give massive relief to the people of Nepal?
To even a casual follower, it is clear that China’s relations with Nepal have faced growing strain in recent months due to a combination of factors, including China’s failure to make meaningful progress on BRI projects in Nepal, failed attempts at political interference and an unwillingness in Beijing to accept terms which would be sustainable for Kathmandu.
Is China Bid To Woo Nepali Communists Failing?
The main line of action for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been to promote Communist parties in Nepal. The CCP is clear that a Communist-led government in Nepal would be more likely to ‘fall in line’ like that of Pakistan.
This is evident in reports speculating that China played a role in facilitating the unification of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) to form the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in 2018.
The extensive role played by the former ambassador Hou Yanqi in this regard has been well documented. However, the fall of the Communist government in Kathmandu, followed by Prachanda choosing to visit India before China, was very upsetting for Beijing. Ambassador Hou was promptly replaced by Ambassador Chen in January this year as the CCP sought to reverse the loss of control over Kathmandu.
It is curious, therefore, as to why the new ambassador would choose this time to highlight weaknesses in Nepal’s economy, criticize its economic policies, both national and international, and openly spew hate toward India-Nepal relations.
By using select data, without adequate context, Chen tried to deride Nepal’s electricity exports to India, which have been a source of significant pride to Nepal.
China’s Hydropower Projects In Nepal
According to recent reports in the Nepali media, in the last decade, installed hydropower production in Nepal has increased from 1,050 MW in 2012 to 2,700 MW in 2023, and this is expected to increase to 9,000 MW in the next ten years, as 235 hydropower plants are still under construction.
Accordingly, India has agreed to buy more than 10,000 MW from Nepal over the next decade to ensure the long-term economic sustainability of these projects. In the last fiscal alone, India has procured electricity worth over Rs 1000 crore from Nepal, which is likely to grow steadily shortly.
In contrast, Nepal has unsuccessfully negotiated with China since 2018 to develop a cross-border 400KV transmission line. Moreover, with China planning its mega-hydropower projects in Tibet, China is not likely to import electricity from Nepal and may want to export it.
This may explain the continued delay of the 756-megawatt Tamor Hydropower Project, agreed upon in 2019 as a joint venture between Nepal and China. Maybe the ambassador was making it clear to Kathmandu that Beijing is only interested in projects that serve its purposes.
Nepal’s Suspicions Over China’s BRI
Another significant area where the Nepal-China relationship was expected to thrive was economic progress and infrastructure development, mainly through China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, despite Nepal becoming a signatory to the BRI in 2017, progress on the promised projects has remained stagnant.
This includes crucial infrastructure projects like upgrading and repairing highways and developing economic corridors. Ambassador Song also recently claimed that the inaugurated Pokhara International Airport was built under the BRI framework.
This subsequently caused significant embarrassment to Beijing when the Nepali government pointed out that the airport was not included in the BRI agreement but was from a bilateral arrangement that pre-dated the BRI. It is reported that none of the nine BRI projects in Nepal have seen any headway.
Moreover, Nepal’s PM will likely firmly demand more economically sustainable mechanisms for the planned BRI projects in the upcoming summit. Economic stability is a significant concern when considering future projects in the current global economic slowdown.
Kathmandu Wary Of Beijing’s Debt Trap
Nepal, like most developing economies, is not in a position to undertake massive projects through loans that could potentially undermine its economic stability. The recent examples of Sri Lanka’s debt crisis and Pakistan’s ongoing financial meltdown, which were significantly exacerbated by Chinese loan-related issues, would undoubtedly play a prominent role in dissuading Prachanda from accepting similar terms for financing.
However, Xi Jinping’s BRI is not a grant-based initiative, and Nepal’s or Sri Lanka’s problems are not Beijing’s, as seen in recent times! The outcome of the bilateral Nepal-China summit could, therefore, have profound implications on the overall success of the BRI.
Another aspect that the CCP would need to consider is Nepal’s engagement with the United States through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact in 2022. This move may be seen as diversifying Nepal’s international partnerships, potentially reducing its dependence on China.
Moreover, with the US, India, and other economic partners recently initiating large-scale trans-continental infrastructure and connectivity projects, Nepal may be better served by reconsidering some of the BRI mega-projects altogether.
“Every day we get closer,” said Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of his country’s relationship with Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 7, 2023. (photo credit: BANDAR ALGALOUD/COURTESY OF SAUDI ROYAL COURT/REUTERS)
Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a US television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel and also warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, “we have to get one.”
“Every day we get closer,” the crown prince told Fox News in wide-ranging remarks broadcast on Wednesday, when asked to characterize talks aimed at long-time foes Israel and Saudi Arabia reaching a landmark agreement to open diplomatic relations.
שימו לב: בן סלמאן אומר בריאיון לפוקס כי מתקיים משא ומתן טוב בעניין הנורמליזציה. אומר שזאת יוזמה של ביידן ואומר כי בסעודיה מקווים שזה יגיע למקום שזה יקל על החיים של הפלסטינים. בן סלמאן הכחיש את הדיווחים על הקפאת השיחות: “זה לא נכון”. ד”ש לאילאף
The conservative US network’s interview with the crown prince, widely known as MbS, comes as President Joe Biden’s administration presses ahead with an effort to broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses, Washington’s top Middle East allies.
The normalization talks are the centerpiece of complex negotiations that also include discussions of US security guarantees and civilian nuclear help that Riyadh has sought, as well as possible Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.
“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part,” MbS, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, said when asked what it would take to get a normalization agreement. “And we have a good negotiations strategy til now.”
A highly placed source said that the Canadian Embassy in the national capital was shut post 2 p.m.
Hours after India expelled a Canadian diplomat on Tuesday in a tit for tat move in retaliation to Canada’s action of expelling an Indian diplomat, the Canadian Embassy in the national capital asked its local staffers to leave the premises during the noon, sources said.
A highly placed source said that the Canadian Embassy in the national capital was shut post 2 p.m.
The source said that the locally engaged staff at the Embassy were asked to vacate the premises immediately in view of the current diplomatic tensions.
The source further said that in an email communication all the employees have been asked by the authorities at the Embassy to not speak to any media or post anything on the social media.
However, when contacted, the officials refused to comment at the Canadian Embassy.
Amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, New Delhi on Tuesday expelled a senior Canadian diplomat based here, who has been asked to leave within the next five days.
The High Commissioner of Canada to India (Cameron Mackay) received summons on Tuesday during which the Government of India conveyed its decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat currently stationed in the country.
The concerned diplomat has been officially instructed to depart from India within the next five days, a statement issued by the external affairs ministry said.
China has officially become the first country to name a new ambassador to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The new envoy, Zhao Xing, presented his credentials at a ceremony in the capital.
China Becomes First Country to Name New Ambassador for Taliban Ruled Afghanistan
China has officially become the first country to name a new ambassador to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The new envoy, Zhao Xing, presented his credentials at a ceremony in the capital. This move from China comes two years after the Taliban took over.
The majority of countries across the globe have still not recognised the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. However, it remains unclear if Beijing sending an ambassador means they are legitimising the extremist rule.
As per a Reuters report, the Chinese foreign ministry has stated that this is “a normal rotation of China’s ambassador to Afghanistan.”
“This is intended to continue advancing dialogue and cooperation between China and Afghanistan. China’s policy towards Afghanistan is clear and consistent,” the foreign ministry added further.
Speaking to Reuters, Taliban officials from the Afghan foreign ministry have stated that China is the first country to send an ambassador since August 2021. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban overthrew the government and took control of the country. After their takeover, US-led forces withdrew from the country after 20 years.
Amid the India-Bharat naming row, China has suggested that rather than focussing on name change, India should focus on comprehensive economic reforms and global influence.
China advices India on Bharat renaming row (Credits: PTI/FILE)
As New Delhi prepares for the G20 Summit amid the India-Bharat naming row, China has said India wants to use the event as an opportunity “to enhance the country’s international influence” and that the country should focus on more important things than the name.
China, through its mouthpiece Global Times, said, “What matters is whether India can comprehensively reform its economic system, which can be traced back to before 1947, when the nation became independent.”
“Without revolutionary reform, India cannot achieve revolutionary development,” the report stated.
A political storm erupted in the country after invitations for a G20 dinner were sent out on behalf of President Droupadi Murmu, describing her position as ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the customary ‘President of India’.
“Hopefully India can make good use of the increasing global attention it’s getting, and turn this influence into a driving force for growth,” China said.
“At a time when global attention is focused on the upcoming G20 summit, what does New Delhi want to express to the world?” China asked.
Further, the Chinese media said, “a name change reflects an effort to eliminate what it sees as colonial-era names.”
“The Modi administration has been one of the most ambitious governments in India in terms of economic reforms since 1991, when India started major reforms to liberalise its economy. Unfortunately, India is increasingly shifting toward trade protectionism,” the report stated.
“These are all more important than whether to change the country’s name,” the Xi Jinping-led country suggested.
Further, referring to India’s recent strict crackdown on some Chinese companies, the report stated, “India’s hesitancy in fully opening up its markets to the world is understandable, but post-1947 history tells us that every time India promotes reform and economic liberalization, it brings strong impetus to economic growth.”
At a time when the India-Bharat row is creating political headlines, China has waded into the India-Bharat name-change controversy. Chinese mouthpiece Global Times, on Thursday, published an opinion piece, advising India to focus on ‘more important issues’.
‘Is it India or Bharat?… Use G20 presidency for reform’: Chinese mouthpiece Global Times wades into the ongoing row.
At a time when the India-Bharat row is creating political headlines, China has waded into the India-Bharat name-change controversy. Chinese mouthpiece Global Times, on Thursday, published an opinion piece, advising India to focus on ‘more important issues’. A response from the Indian government is awaited.
Bharat India Name Change Latest News Today
“Is it India or Bharat? The country should use the G20 presidency to demonstrate its determination to reform its economy, expand its openness and attract foreign investment. These are all more important than whether to change its name,” the Chinese newspaper Global Times said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“India should use the G20 presidency to demonstrate its determination to reform its economy, expand its openness, attract foreign investment, and provide a fair business environment for foreign investors – and also gradually implement these measures. These are all more important than whether to change the country’s name,” the Global Times report said in an advice of sorts to New Delhi.
'Bharat Name' Row
'Is it India or Bharat?… Use G20 presidency for reform': Chinese mouthpiece Global Times wades into the ongoing row.
US President Joe Biden will travel to India on September 7, two days before the G20 Summit commences in New Delhi. (Image: Reuters)
US President Joe Biden has tested negative for Covid-19 and will travel to India on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi, the White House said on Tuesday.
The US president will also have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement comes a day after First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.
Biden will also be abiding by the CDC guidelines, and will only remove his mask when he is socially distanced from others.
#WATCH | "On Thursday, the President will travel to New Delhi in India to attend the G20 Leaders' summit. On Friday, President Biden will participate in a bilateral with India's Prime Minister Modi. Sunday, the President will participate in official sessions of G20 summit…",… pic.twitter.com/wuh04cVwIX
“The US President will travel to India on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told a press conference at the White House.
President Biden will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Biden will participate in the official sessions of the G20 Summit on Saturday and Sunday, he added.
At the G20 Summit, Biden will call for a “just and durable peace” for Ukraine, the White House said.
India, President of the G20, will host global leaders for the Summit scheduled to take place on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. During the Summit, Biden will commend Modi for his leadership of the G20, the White House said.
On Saturday (September 9) and Sunday (September 10), the President will participate in the G20 summit, where he and G20 partners will discuss a range of joint efforts to tackle global issues, including the clean energy transition and combatting climate change.
They will also mitigate the economic and social impacts of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, and increase the capacity of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, to better fight poverty, including by addressing global challenges, the White House said.
While in New Delhi, the President will also commend Prime Minister Modi’s leadership of the G20 and reaffirm the US commitment to the G20 as the premier forum of economic cooperation, including by hosting it in 2026, it said.
Earlier in the day, a massive controversy had erupted over the government’s decision to send out G20 dinner invites from the ‘President of Bharat’.
An image showing a part of the ASEAN-India summit notes shared by BJP spox Sambit Patra. Credit: X/@sambitswaraj
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Tuesday night shared an official information regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indonesia in which he has been referred to as the ‘Prime Minister of Bharat’.
Modi will be leaving for Indonesia on Wednesday night to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit.
The reference to Modi as the ‘Prime Minister of Bharat’ comes close on the heels of a G20 invite for a dinner on September 9 in the name of the ‘President of Bharat’, which triggered a row as opposition parties alleged that the government is planning to drop India and stay with just Bharat as the country’s name.
Customarily, in English, the country is referred as India.
