By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, Apr.15 (APD) -- The chief minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh on Sunday criticized the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for its omissions in the 2018 terrorism report.

He said that all the references to Sikh extremism had been erased in the Canadian government’s report on terrorism even though the issue had been previously mentioned as a threat to the country.

Singh said that the Canadian prime minister had, “succumbed to domestic political pressure”and the move was “a threat to Indian and global security”.

He also warned that the new development could impact Indian and Canadian relations in the long run. Singh explained that, “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is playing with fire with his decision to assuage inflamed domestic passions through this ill-considered move.”

Singh believed that such instances encouraged extremism and were detrimental to world peace. He also lamented that Canada was being used by Sikh extremists to spread the message of the flawed Khalistani ideology which called for a separate state for Sikhs and was against India.

He further said, “It is obvious that Trudeau had played safe in view of the upcoming elections in Canada, giving in to pressure within his country. In the process, he has quite blatantly ignored the adverse impact this could have not only on Canada’s relations with India but also on geopolitical stability.”

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)