At a time when, in the run-up to the 2024 general elections, political battle lines in India are being redrawn ever so sharply by the day, Canada seems to have done the unthinkable. It has brought the BJP and Congress together in their strong condemnation of the celebration of violent extremism. And in this, the two parties have the backing of the entire nation, appalled by the so-called liberalism of Canada glorifying hideous acts all in the name of free speech and expression. If ever liberalism needed to go back to the basics, it is the Canadian manifestation of its dysfunctionalities that should make it imperative for the country to relook at the entirety of the normative consensus underpinning its society and polity.
A parade organized by pro-Khalistani groups in Ontario’s Greater Toronto area on June 4 saw a tableau depicting former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination along with a sign saying that it was “Revenge for Attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”. As the video of the parade went viral on social media, Indians took notice. Even for Canada, where radical Khalistani groups have been allowed to flourish with relative immunity, this is a bridge too far. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was categorical in linking this episode to the larger issue of the “space that Canada has continuously” provided to Khalistani elements, “to people who advocate violence”. Arguing that “it’s not good for the relationship and I think it’s not good for Canada,” Jaishankar retorted that it was difficult to comprehend “other than the requirements of vote bank politics, why anybody would do this…I mean, you would imagine that they learn about the history and they wouldn’t like to repeat that history”.
After a disastrous start by Justin Trudeau, India’s ties with Canada were stabilizing in recent times. Just last month, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was in Canada for the India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment which saw new momentum being imparted to the negotiations on the Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA). Aimed at liberalizing trade in services, the EPTA will take the two nations closer to the ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
