Last update:01 November 2024, 11:59 IST

Trudeau extends Diwali greetings amid diplomatic tensions with India, as community celebrates festival of lights

Relations between the two countries deteriorated following Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (Archive photo)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday expressed his Diwali wishes and promised to stand with the Hindu community amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada following the rise of Khalistani extremism in the country.

In a statement praising Indo-Canadians, the Liberal leader highlighted the importance of Diwali for one of the country’s largest and most diverse diasporas. “Happy Diwali!” Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festivities, candles, diyas and fireworks. I wish you all joy and prosperity during this special time,” Trudeau wrote on X.

“Will always stand with Hindus”

In a separate statement, the Canadian Prime Minister said: “Diwali in Canada would not be possible without our incredible Indo-Canadian community. Indo-Canadians represent the best of Canada – as artists and entrepreneurs, as doctors and teachers, as leaders in business, community and culture. This Diwali, we celebrate them and the light they bring to communities across Canada. »

“We will always stand with Hindu Canadians to ensure their safety and security so that they can freely and proudly practice their religion,” he added. The message comes as Canadian MP Chandra Arya expressed concerns over the safety of Hindus in the country amid the surge. of Khalistani extremism. He urged the Canadian government to recognize the threat posed by Khalistani extremism.

Poilievre, leader of the opposition

Trudeau’s message follows controversy surrounding the cancellation of Ottawa’s annual Diwali event, which faced backlash from the Hindu community. Shiv Bhasker, president of the Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), expressed disappointment over the situation, saying the Indian community feels “betrayed and unfairly singled out” amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries .

The leader of the Canadian opposition, Pierre Poilievre, clarified that the event had not been canceled but had simply undergone changes in location and schedule. “To be clear, any suggestion that Mr. Poilievre canceled this event is demonstrably false,” Sebastian Skamski, director of media relations for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, told Yahoo News Canada.

“This event has always been organized by a member of the Conservative caucus, this year being MP Doherty, and has never been organized by the Leader of the Opposition or his office. Although the location and schedule have been changed, MP Doherty will still host an event to celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chor Divas in Ottawa with members of the South Asian community and the Conservative caucus.

India-Canada ties

Relations between the two countries deteriorated following Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in the assassination of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and interference in Canadian elections. India has denied the claims, calling them “absurd”.

India recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats from Canada after they were named “persons of interest” in a Canadian investigation into the 2023 killing of Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was a Canadian citizen, in British Columbia.

Relations between the two countries have plunged to an all-time low due to Canada’s tacit support for Khalistani extremists among Canada’s large Sikh population of around eight lakh. New Delhi accuses Ottawa of doing nothing to stop the activities of Khalistan supporters who seek to undermine India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.