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Former Punjab CM accuses Trudeau of “patronizing” extremism in Canada
“When I was Chief Minister, I was aware of Canada’s approach to Sikh extremism, which was fast growing. Trudeau not only turned a blind eye but also patronized such people to enhance his political base,” Singh added.
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Captain Amarinder Singh / Image- X (@capt_amarinder)
Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Nov. 4 expressed deep concerns over the worsening relations between India and Canada, accusing the Canadian government of patronizing a separatist movement for political gains.
In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), Singh, who served as CM of Punjab, from 2017 to 2021, criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's handling of the diplomatic rift, describing it as “irresponsible” and “criminal.”
Singh’s comments come in the wake of the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani separatist, which prompted Trudeau to suggest in a parliamentary statement that Indian agents may have been involved in the killing. Singh noted that Trudeau later admitted to lacking concrete evidence to support the claim but nonetheless pointed fingers at India, undermining diplomatic norms.
“It is not often that countries, friends for decades, should end up as have Canada and India today,” Singh said. “The assassination of a person of extreme separatist views, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, led to Trudeau pointing his finger at India. He later stated he didn't have concrete evidence, but that fingers pointed in that direction. This is a violation of the sanctity of parliament.”
My statement on the current Indo-Canadian situation. pic.twitter.com/MyTlXxmZnn
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 4, 2024
Singh emphasized that during his tenure as Punjab’s Chief Minister, he had warned Trudeau about Canada’s lenient approach toward Sikh extremism, which was growing rapidly. According to Singh, Trudeau not only ignored these warnings but also sought to strengthen his political base by aligning with extremists.
“When I was Chief Minister, I was aware of Canada’s approach to Sikh extremism, which was fast growing. Trudeau not only turned a blind eye but also patronized such people to enhance his political base,” Singh added.
Singh also criticized Trudeau’s handling of diplomatic relations during his own visit to Punjab, where he reluctantly met with Singh only after pressure from the then External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj. He recalled his refusal to meet with Trudeau’s defense minister, Harjit Sajjan, during his visit to Punjab, citing Sajjan’s involvement with the World Sikh Organization, which had Khalistani ties.
Singh further accused Trudeau of failing to act on a list of over 20 individuals involved in separatist activities that he had handed over during their meeting in Amritsar. "I was promised that he would look into these grievances. On the contrary, since our meeting, these nefarious activities have grown," Singh said, referencing the ongoing issues of drug trafficking, gunrunning, and gang activity in Punjab.
“Canada has become a haven for the Khalistani separatist movement, which no Punjabi wants,” Singh stated. He also pointed to the 1985 Kanishka bombing, asserting that the Canadian government had forgotten the atrocities of the past and failed to curb current activities that destabilize Punjab.
Addressing the broader implications of Canada’s policies under Trudeau, Singh argued that the patronization of a terrorist or separatist movement for political gain is detrimental not only to Punjab but also to India's economy. He noted the impact on Punjab’s industries and agriculture, which he said are suffering due to instability.
Singh expressed hope that the upcoming Canadian elections in 2025 would mark the end of Trudeau’s tenure, hinting at a potential shift in Canada-India relations. “Time will tell next year when he goes to the polls. From what one hears, his luck has run out. We need better relations with Canada, and one ambitious man shouldn’t be able to rock a stable friendship that has existed for decades,” Singh concluded.
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