Canada Accused By India Of Falsely Linking Minister To Sikh Extremism
India has accused Canada of falsely linking one of its ministers to Sikh extremism and demanded an apology.
The row erupted after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Jaspal Atwal, a Sikh activist convicted of attempting to assassinate an Indian minister in 1986. Atwal was invited to a dinner in Mumbai hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner.
India's Foreign Ministry summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and lodged a formal protest. The ministry said that Atwal was a "convicted terrorist" and that his presence at the event was "deeply hurtful" to the Indian people.
Canada has defended its invitation to Atwal, saying that he is a "respected member of the Sikh community" and that he has "renounced violence". However, India has rejected this explanation, saying that Atwal's conviction for attempted murder cannot be erased.
The row has further strained relations between India and Canada, which have been frosty since Trudeau's visit to India in February. During that visit, Trudeau met with Sikh separatist leaders, which angered the Indian government.
The Atwal affair has also raised questions about Canada's commitment to fighting terrorism. India has argued that Canada's decision to invite Atwal to an official event sends a message that it is not serious about combating extremism.
Canada has said that it is committed to fighting terrorism and that it does not tolerate extremism in any form. However, the Atwal affair has raised doubts about whether Canada is doing enough to address the threat of Sikh extremism.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. There are strong feelings on both sides of the debate. It is important to remember that there are many different perspectives on this issue, and that there is no easy solution.