Last update:01 November 2024, 11:46 AM 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)

Amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday expressed his Diwali wishes and promised to stand with Hindu Canadians.

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.

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. 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.

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 .

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.