Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified before a public inquiry into foreign interference in federal electoral processes and democratic institutions, where he accused the Indian government of interfering in Canada's safety and sovereignty. He mentioned that there was only intelligence, but no hard evidence, to support the claims of Indian government agents being involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Trudeau also stated that the Indian response to these allegations was to double down on attacks against his government and arbitrarily eject Canadian diplomats from India.
Indian Government Accused of Meddling in Canadian Elections and Assassinations
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused the Indian government of interfering in Canada's elections and attempting to assassinate a Khalistan separatist. The allegations stem from an ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian politics.
Background
Canada has a significant Sikh population, many of whom support the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh nation in the Punjab region of India. In recent years, there have been concerns that the Indian government may be targeting Sikh activists in Canada.
In 2018, Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in Surrey, British Columbia. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) initially investigated the case as a random killing, but later concluded that Nijjar was likely targeted by Indian agents.
Trudeau's Testimony
In his testimony before the public inquiry, Trudeau said that the Indian government had attempted to interfere in Canada's 2015 and 2019 federal elections. He also claimed that Indian agents were involved in Nijjar's assassination.
Trudeau said that he had only intelligence to support these claims, not hard evidence. He also stated that the Indian government had responded to the allegations by attacking his government and expelling Canadian diplomats from India.
India's Response
The Indian government has denied Trudeau's allegations. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that Trudeau's remarks were "baseless" and that "there is absolutely no evidence to support them."
Jaishankar also accused Canada of failing to take action against Sikh separatists operating in Canada. He said that Canada's inaction had allowed these individuals to "operate with impunity."
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the Khalistan movement? The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that advocates for an independent Sikh nation in the Punjab region of India.
2. Why does the Indian government oppose the Khalistan movement? The Indian government considers the Khalistan movement to be a threat to its territorial integrity.
3. What is the evidence that the Indian government was involved in Nijjar's assassination? Trudeau has said that there is intelligence to support this claim, but he has not provided any specific evidence.
4. What is the Indian government's response to Trudeau's allegations? The Indian government has denied Trudeau's allegations and accused Canada of failing to take action against Sikh separatists.
5. How is this issue likely to affect relations between Canada and India? Trudeau's allegations are likely to strain relations between Canada and India. The Indian government has already taken steps to punish Canada, such as expelling Canadian diplomats.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her distress and offered heartfelt condolences to the families of devotees who lost their lives in a stampede at Tirupati on Thursday. She also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and urged for better crowd management at religious places. The stampede occurred on Wednesday night as devotees were jostling for tickets at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam.
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been in the news for its melting glaciers and concerns about climate change. However, its strategic importance has also caught the attention of leaders like President Trump who recently expressed interest in purchasing the island. This is not a new idea, as previous presidents have also considered acquiring Greenland due to its location, potential energy resources, and role in the Arctic region. This article explores the history of this proposition and the current geopolitical considerations surrounding Greenland.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the Central Bureau of Investigation's appeal against the acquittal of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in the murder case of former sect manager Ranjit Singh. The case, which has seen multiple twists and turns, has been referred to Justice Bela M. Trivedi's bench, which is already hearing a related petition filed by the victim's father. The CBI has argued that Ram Rahim orchestrated the murder after suspecting Singh of leaking an anonymous letter accusing him of sexual misconduct. The case has attracted widespread public attention due to Ram Rahim's involvement and frequent paroles from prison.
As Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule voices the public demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation, a petition filed in the Bombay High Court by Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, is withdrawn. The petition had alleged that Munde was linked to a criminal syndicate involved in the murder of his sibling in 2024. Sule cites a precedent in which a former Maharashtra CM resigned over a scam, calling for similar sensitivity towards this case.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, with voting to take place on February 5 and counting of votes on February 8. The recent release of the final electoral roll shows a 1.09 per cent increase in the number of voters since the last draft. CEC Rajiv Kumar addressed concerns over EVMs and the election procedure, asserting the transparency and credibility of the Indian election process. The AAP, BJP and Congress are gearing up for a three-way battle, with the AAP currently in the lead after sweeping 2020 Delhi elections.
With the Delhi Assembly elections just around the corner, AICC Delhi in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin believes that the Congress party will successfully appeal to voters by focusing on key issues affecting citizens. He emphasized that the party only makes promises that have been fulfilled in Congress-ruled states and will prioritize cleaning the Yamuna, improving women's safety, reducing corruption, and addressing unemployment, all of which have been neglected by the current AAP government.
The BJP has refuted Delhi CM Atishi's accusation that her official residence was taken away by the Centre, stating that the allotment was withdrawn for her failure to take possession and ongoing CBI/ED investigation. The AAP leader, however, remains undeterred and vows to work for the people of Delhi even if it means operating from the streets. Delhi's 2025 election poll schedule has also been announced, with voting to take place on February 5 and results on February 8.
During a news conference in Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Trump believes that the new name has a "beautiful ring" and is more appropriate, especially given the current state of relations between the US and Mexico. While this isn't the first time renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has been proposed, Trump's announcement has caused controversy and garnered attention.
The nation bids farewell to former President Jimmy Carter as his funeral procession takes place from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the Capitol in Washington D.C. The event was attended by many political figures and members of the public, paying their respects to the late President. Despite the solemn atmosphere, the streets were lined with people celebrating Carter's life and legacy.
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan has released the draft guidelines for the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. These new regulations aim to bring flexibility, inclusivity, and excellence in faculty recruitment and career progression in Indian higher education institutions. They also align with the goals of the New Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) and place emphasis on Indian languages and interdisciplinary backgrounds. Additionally, the guidelines include specialized recruitment pathways for fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama to attract the best talent and preserve India's cultural heritage.