India’s ex-Ambassadors’ group writes open letter, accuse Trudeau govt of vote-bank politics

New Delhi: Days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backed farmers protest in Delhi over farm laws, a group of 22 former Indian ambassadors wrote an open letter accusing Canadian govt of engaging in vote bank politics and supporting anti-India activities of Khalistani elements and separatists.

In the letter, group of 22 former Indian Ambassadors alleged that separatist and violent Khalistani elements carry out anti-India activities, from safety of Canadian soil.

“They are also radicalising the Canadian youth with far-reaching consequences, which is being ignored at the altar of short-term political expediency. Khalistani elements in Canada control a number of prominent gurudwaras which gives them access to substantial funds, some of which are allegedly diverted to the electoral campaign of political parties especially the Liberals,” the letter read.

‘Canadian politicians attend anti-India events’

The Indian envoys also accused Canadian politicians of attending such events and rallies where anti-India slogans are raised.

“They (Khalistani elements) regularly hold demonstrations, rallies and other events where anti-India slogans are raised and terrorists eulogised.
Few Canadian politicians have qualms about attending such events which provides the oxygen of publicity to the separatists,” the letter read.

They further alleged hand-in-glove coordination of Pakistani diplomats with pro-Khalistan events.

“Pakistani ‘diplomats’ conspicuously participate in such pro Khalistani events. Canadian authorities turn a Nelson’s eye. There were numerous references to radical Khalistanis and Sikh extremism in the ‘2018 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada’. However allegedly bowing to their pressure and threats, in an unprecedented development, all references to them were deleted from the report,” the letter said.