India's moment is hurt by interference label
reuters.com
reuters.com
That same group ended up being responsible for bombing a civilian airliner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_India_Flight_182) leaving Canada with hundreds of Canadians on board. The follow up to this horrific incident was disappointing:
> The subsequent investigation and prosecution lasted almost twenty years. This was the most expensive trial in Canadian history, costing nearly C$130 million. The two accused, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, were both acquitted and found not guilty.
> The Governor General-in-Council in 2006 appointed the former Supreme Court Justice John C. Major to conduct a commission of inquiry. His report, which was completed and released on 17 June 2010, concluded that a "cascading series of errors" by the Government of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had allowed the terrorist attack to take place.
Given all this history, to me it is utterly bizarre that Trudeau cares to defend this dubious group of alleged terrorists more than maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with India. I think it is a huge mistake because we need India as an ally to keep China in check. He knows this, I’m sure. So what’s his motivation? Where does this road end and at what cost?
Setting aside the morality of who is right or wrong: my understanding is that just like in the USA, domestic politics are far more important to Canadian politicians than geopolitical concerns. Trudeau likely feels that he and his political coalition cannot afford to alienate Khalistani supporters - if they do so, then they will lose political power until a new coalition can be formed.
India has been asking for evidence for more than a year.
Surprisingly, India ordered around 32 drones for 3 billion dollars; probably to pacify the US.
Modi should know that the only reason he was being courted was because relationships broke down with Russia and China.
US is trying desperately to make sure that India doesn't strengthen relationships with these two either bilaterally or via BRICS.
Modi is through the looking glass and I hope he is smart enough to know that.