Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Stop the free fall: On India-Canada ties

Stop the free fall: On India-Canada ties

India and Canada must not allow ties to deteriorate further

The diplomatic row between India and Canada has, as expected, begun to impact people who have ties with both countries. The unusual manner in which Canada made public its understanding that Indian officials were somehow involved in the 2023 murder of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has derailed (To cause something to go off course, especially to obstruct or hinder progress) bilateral relations. Washington’s allegations (आरोप, दावा) regarding the plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun further complicated (जटिल बनाना, कठिन बनाना) matters. On November 3, a camp on the premises of the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, which was organised by the Indian mission to provide consular (Relating to an official who represents their government in a foreign city) services, was violently disrupted (बाधा डालना, विघटन करना) by Khalistan activists. Later, a protest by a Hindu group also led to violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the violence at the mandir as “deliberate (जानबूझकर, सोच-समझकर)” and attempts to intimidate (डराना, धमकाना) Indian diplomats as “cowardly”. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau termed the incident “unacceptable”. At least two people linked to Nijjar have been reportedly arrested by the police in Canada. One of them is wanted in India. An estimated 19 lakh people, or about 4% of Canada’s population, are of Indian origin. Many of them maintain close ties with India and require varied consular services.

That a small violent group can even disrupt routine diplomatic functions is a sad commentary on Canada’s standing as a stable democracy where the rule of law is supreme. The Canadian government must ensure that Indian diplomats are secure. India and Canada should not encourage or tolerate any kind of mobilisation that causes communal rift (दरार, मतभेद) in either country. India’s diaspora engagement must unfailingly reflect the multi-religious character of the nation. India-Canada bilateral trade in goods and services combined is around $19 billion. It was expected to be boosted further through a bilateral trade treaty, but negotiations on this are now stalled. Both countries have been careful so far to insulate their economic relations, but disruptions (बाधा, व्यवधान, विघटन) in visa issuance on both sides can have an impact. India and Canada have significant convergence (संमिलन, एकत्रीकरण) on many issues, climate change, for instance. Sustained people-to-people contacts have been beneficial, notwithstanding the fact that the current turmoil (उथल-पुथल, अशांति) also originates from fractious (चिड़चिड़ा, झगड़ालू) diaspora politics. Independent of India ties, Canada is trying to tighten its border policy as nearly two-thirds of the population reportedly feel that there are too many immigrants entering the country. New restrictions on student visas will affect Indian aspirants too. While a complete normalisation of ties cannot be quick, both countries can and must avoid disruptions to their consular services.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Allegation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आरोप, दावा
English Meaning - A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, often without proof.

2.Complicate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - जटिल बनाना, कठिन बनाना
English Meaning - To make something more difficult or complex.

3.Disrupt (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - बाधा डालना, विघटन करना
English Meaning - To interrupt or cause disorder in a process or event.

4.Deliberate (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - जानबूझकर, सोच-समझकर
English Meaning - Done consciously and intentionally; to think about something carefully.

5.Intimidate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - डराना, धमकाना
English Meaning - To frighten or overawe someone, especially to make them do what one wants.

6.Rift (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - दरार, मतभेद
English Meaning - A serious break or division, often in a relationship.

7.Convergence (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - संमिलन, एकत्रीकरण
English Meaning - The process or state of coming together or merging.

8.Turmoil (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - उथल-पुथल, अशांति
English Meaning - A state of extreme confusion, disorder, or uncertainty.

9.Fractious (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - चिड़चिड़ा, झगड़ालू
English Meaning - Irritable and likely to cause disruption; unruly.

10.Disruption (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - बाधा, व्यवधान, विघटन
English Meaning - The act of interrupting or causing disorder.

11.Derail (Verb)

English Meaning - To cause something to go off course, especially to obstruct or hinder progress.

12.Consular (Adjective)

English Meaning - Relating to an official who represents their government in a foreign city.