Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to set up a helpline for Indian students and NRIs in Canada. This comes amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. Expressing concerns over their safety, Jakhar requested Jaishankar to issue a detailed statement outlining measures taken by the Centre to ensure citizens' wellbeing in Canada until the dispute is resolved. He highlighted the need for a helpline given the current climate and called for public reassurance on steps taken for Indians' security.

The National Investigation Agency's recent chargesheet has revealed banned Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International's (BKI) attempts to establish networks abroad. With help from pro-Khalistan elements, BKI is trying to settle important members in various countries to carry out targeted attacks. BKI has created a nexus between terrorists and gangsters, providing the latter weapons access. NIA states BKI chief Wadhwa Singh Babbar and deputy Mehal Singh are in Pakistan under ISI patronage. Harwinder Singh Rinda, involved in contract killings, also operates from Pakistan. The group was behind recent attacks in Punjab. BKI has active presence across Europe, North America and Pakistan. It maintains ties with Dawood Ibrahim's D-Company syndicate too.

Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for meeting and honoring a veteran of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, a Nazi division, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit. Poilievre termed it an "appalling error in judgment" on Trudeau's part, whose office arranges state visits. He said parliamentarians other than Trudeau were unaware of the veteran's background before he was introduced in the House of Commons. Demanding Trudeau personally apologize instead of passing blame, Poilievre stated the veteran's dark past made it impossible for parliamentarians to know of it without warning. His statement comes in response to the Canadian human rights group Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center exposing Trudeau's actions on social media.

Canada's Defence Minister Bill Blair stated that relations with India are important but allegations over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar must be probed. His comments follow PM Justin Trudeau's claim that "Indian agents" were behind Nijjar's shooting, straining India-Canada ties. Blair asserted that if the allegations are proven true, Canada will have serious concerns regarding violation of its sovereignty. However, he acknowledged this issue has been challenging for India-Canada relations and that a thorough investigation is needed to uncover the truth. The statement signals Canada's emphasis on investigating Nijjar's killing while diplomatically acknowledging its impact on bilateral ties with India.

Indian intelligence agencies have revealed a Khalistan terror network operating out of Canada. As per reports, Canadian nationals Gurjit Singh Cheema, Gurjinder Singh Pannu and Gurpreet Singh Brar have links to banned groups ISYF and KLF. Cheema has been accused of radicalizing and arming module members while Pannu provided funds and facilitated weapon deliveries. Brar allegedly formed sub-clubs and directed weapon collection for ISYF members in India's Punjab state. These revelations have created diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over the Trudeau government's perceived inaction against Khalistani extremism.

The Centre has adopted a two-pronged strategy targeting pro-Khalistan activists living abroad. Firstly, investigative agencies have been asked to identify properties in India belonging to such persons wanted by India. Secondly, the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards that allow visa-free entry are being revoked for these activists and sympathizers. This comes after the NIA recently confiscated properties of 'designated individual terrorist' Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Around two dozen pro-Khalistan activists based in countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia have been identified so far. Their OCI cards are set to be cancelled to prevent visa-free entry into India.

Amid the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, parents of Indian students studying in Canada express concerns about their children's safety and potential discrimination. They fear that the standoff may expose their children to security risks and bias based on nationality. Some students planning to study in Canada are anxious about the suspension of visa services. Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar and Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu have called for helplines and interventions to ensure the well-being of Indian students and residents in Canada. The dispute emerged after Canada accused Indian government agents of involvement in a shooting, which India rejected as "absurd." [Image: The Globe and Mail]

  The Biden administration is inclined to avoid involvement in the diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, aiming to preserve its positive relationship with PM Narendra Modi's government. Charles Myers, Signum Global Advisors' Chairman and a Democratic Party donor, believes the U.S. won't heavily intervene as it seeks to collaborate with India in countering China. Tensions between Canada and India arose from the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with Trudeau linking the Indian government to the crime. While U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged cooperation in the investigation, no retaliatory measures like expelling Indian diplomats have been taken. The U.S. intends to steer clear of the issue.

The US provided intelligence to Canada following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, intercepted communications by Canadian officials led to Ottawa's accusation of India's involvement in the plot. The allegations have strained India-Canada relations, with India rejecting them as "absurd" and expelling a Canadian diplomat in retaliation. The US urged India to cooperate with Canada's investigations but emphasized they had no advance information about the plot. While US officials have tried to avoid diplomatic backlash from India, the disclosure of US intelligence involvement risks complicating relations between Canada and India, as the US seeks closer ties with New Delhi.

In Canada, there has been a surge in Hinduphobic activities, including vandalism of temples and anti-India propaganda linked to the Khalistan Referendum movement. Notably, no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents. Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya highlighted the fear among Hindu Canadians, particularly due to a video from the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) urging Hindus to leave the country. Several politicians, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, have condemned the video. A petition to recognize Hinduphobia in the Human Rights Code has gained momentum. The killing of SFJ figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada remains under investigation.