Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament from Nepean in Canada’s House of Commons, has called on the nation’s law enforcement agencies to take the growing issue of Khalistani violent extremism seriously. Speaking before the House on Wednesday, Arya addressed the increasing concerns about Khalistani terrorism within Canadian borders, remarking that it is fundamentally a Canadian problem that requires immediate attention.

Arya’s statements came in the wake of personal experiences with Khalistani protesters. During a Hindu event in Edmonton, Arya was subjected to a disruptive protest organized by supporters of the Khalistani movement. The situation escalated to such a degree that Arya had to rely on the protection of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to safely participate in the event. Reflecting on the episode, Arya said, “In Canada, we have long recognized and experienced the serious problem of Khalistani extremism.”

He also stressed that extremism and terrorism are global issues that transcend national boundaries. Arya firmly stated, "The sanctity of Canadian sovereignty is sacrosanct, and any interference by foreign state actors within Canada, in any form, is unacceptable." His comments were not just directed at Canada’s internal challenges but also touched on the broader issue of foreign influence in Canadian matters.

Law Enforcement Response and National Security

Arya's plea was particularly aimed at Canada's law enforcement agencies, urging them to handle Khalistani extremism with the seriousness it deserves. According to the RCMP, a national task force has been set up to investigate these extremist activities. Arya emphasized the importance of this initiative, pointing out that the ongoing activities of these violent groups pose a significant threat to national security.

The Khalistani movement has long been a contentious issue in India-Canada relations, with New Delhi accusing Ottawa of providing a safe haven for separatists and extremists. This criticism resurfaced recently when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents may have been involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani terrorist. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in June 2023, an incident that has been under investigation by the RCMP ever since.

India-Canada Relations and Diplomatic Fallout

The relationship between India and Canada has reached a new low following Trudeau’s public accusations against India's involvement in the Nijjar murder. India has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” The Indian government has instead pointed out the growing problem of Khalistani extremism on Canadian soil, accusing the Canadian government of failing to address the issue adequately.

New Delhi has maintained that the heart of the conflict lies in Canada’s perceived leniency towards pro-Khalistan elements. These groups, operating freely in Canada, are seen as a direct threat to Indian sovereignty. This diplomatic standoff has resulted in strained relations between the two countries, with India even expelling several Canadian diplomats in response to Trudeau’s allegations.

The Ongoing Investigation into Nijjar’s Murder

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was officially designated a terrorist by India, was killed in June 2023 outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. Nijjar had long been associated with the Khalistani separatist movement, and his death has further complicated the already delicate relationship between India and Canada. The RCMP has been conducting an ongoing investigation into the assassination, though tensions between the two nations have hindered any meaningful collaboration.

The Nijjar killing is emblematic of the broader challenges facing Canada’s domestic security apparatus. As Arya mentioned in his address, extremism and terrorism do not respect national boundaries, making it crucial for law enforcement agencies to take a proactive stance against these threats.

As diplomatic ties between the two nations continue to unravel, there is hope that non-political sectors like business and trade relations will remain unaffected. However, the escalating political tensions have cast a shadow over the future of India-Canada collaboration in various fields.

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