Khalistani issue casts a shadow on Indo-Canada ties once again

The Khalistan issue could once again cast a shadow over India-Canada ties following an invitation to Punjabi singers, including Jazzy B, a known Khalistani sympathiser, to the British Columbia (BC) assembly in the North American country.

The matter came to light when an Independent MLA of BC Assembly Dallas Brodie posted a video featuring British Columbia Conservative MLA Steve Kooner expressing admiration for Jazzy B, whose real name is Jaswinder Singh Bains and lives in Canada, during the singer's visit to the BC assembly. Canada's fondness for Khalistani sympathisers due to vote bank politics has been a major irritant in bilateral ties, particularly under the previous PM Justin Trudeau. Ties still remain downgraded with no high commissioners at the respective missions.

With Prime Minister Mark Carney leading the Liberal Party to a recent win, a thaw in ties was expected but the British Columbia assembly development has not gone down well with India, it has been learnt. Sources here said that the issue is being monitored.

"I come from a singing family myself, and Jazzy B did sing part of my dad's song about 30 years ago. I really appreciated that. And, so I wanna just welcome Jazzy B and also Sabi Gunnar, Inderpal Moga, Chani Nattan, who I know from the community, Marco, Mander," Kooner can be heard saying.

Later, Brodie posted on X, "Today, several prominent pro-Kalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature by MLAs of both the BC Conservatives and New Democratic Party (NDP). Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos. This is an insult to our Legislature."