Canada Extends Republic Day Greetings To India Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The High Commission of Canada in India extended its congratulations to India on its 75th Republic Day, expressing warm wishes in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter). The bilingual post in Hindi and English conveyed, "Wishing India a very happy Republic Day."
Strained relations between India and Canada
This message comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, particularly regarding reports suggesting Canada's examination of alleged Indian interference in its last two general elections in 2019 and 2021.
The strained relations have also been influenced by the controversy surrounding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The diplomatic discord escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations on September 18, insinuating a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing on June 18 in British Columbia, Canada.?
India vehemently rejected Trudeau's claims as "absurd" and "motivated," emphasising that Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by India in 2020.
The tensions between the two nations led to diplomatic expulsions and the issuance of travel advisories. On September 21, India halted visa services for Canadian citizens, but e-visa services for Canadians were reinstated in November after nearly two months of suspension.
Threats from?Khalistani terrorist Pannun?
On January 16, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued fresh threats ahead of India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, as reported by ANI.?
Photos of pro-Khalistani graffiti threatening to "avenge" the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani terrorist killed in Canada in June 2023, emerged on social media, painted across New Delhi.?
Pannun, the founder of Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a group advocating for the establishment of Khalistan, has actively used social media to incite gangsters and young individuals to support the cause.?
Established as a 'designated individual terrorist' by the Indian government in 2020, Pannun has a history of issuing threats against India, including a video in December last year threatening an attack on Parliament.
Pannun's provocations extend beyond verbal threats; in November 2023, he urged the Sikh community not to fly on Air India after November 19, resulting in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registering a case against him.?
The SFJ was banned as an "unlawful association" in 2019 due to its involvement in "anti-national and subversive" activities. Pannun has been under the NIA's scrutiny since 2019, with non-bailable warrants issued against him in February 2021, leading to his declaration as a 'Proclaimed Offender (PO)' on November 29, 2022.
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