#कॅनडाला धडा शिकवा,#कॅनडाचा भारत बनवा आणि कॅनडा वरती राज्य करा01 OCT 23

कॅनडाचे नागरिकत्व मिळविण्यासाठी खालिस्तानी बोगीचा वापर

कॅनडा हा उत्तर अमेरिकेत असलेला सुमारे ९९.८ लाख चौरस किलोमीटर क्षेत्रफळाने जगात दुसरा मोठा  खंडप्राय देश आहे,पण कॅनडाची लोकसंख्या 3.76 कोटी म्ह्णजे अत्यंत विरळ आहे. नॉर्थ कॅनडा म्हणजे ऊत्तर कॅनडा हा अतिशय बर्फ पडणारा,अती थंड आणि अत्यंत कमी लोकसंख्या असलेला भाग आहे. कॅनडाच्या ऊत्तर भागात छोटी छोटी गावे आहेत, ज्यांची लोकसंख्या अत्यंत विरळ आहे. गेल्या वीस वर्षापासून कॅनडा झिरो पॉप्युलेशन ग्रोवथ मध्ये अडकलेला आहे. म्हणजे कॅनडाचा मृत्युदर मोठा आहे, परंतु जन्मदर अतिशय कमी आहे. म्हणूनच कमी होणाऱ्या लोकसंख्येवरती कंट्रोल करण्याकरता कॅनडाने युरोप प्रमाणेच बाहेरच्या देशातील लोकांना कॅनडात येणे, कॅनडामध्ये सेटल होणे किंवा कॅनडाचे नागरिकत्व मिळवणे अत्यंत सोपे केलेले आहे. कारण दरवर्षी नवीन लाखो परदेशीय नागरिकांची कॅनडाला गरज असते. मात्र हे नागरिक सुशिक्षित असावेत आणि कॅनडाला गरज असणाऱ्या भागामध्ये काम करणारे असावेत. प्रत्येक वर्षी असे ठरवले जाते की पुढच्या वर्षांमध्ये कॅनडाला कुठल्या कुठल्या क्षेत्रात कौशल्यपूर्ण नागरिकांची किंवा तरुणांची गरज आहे. उदाहरणार्थ शिक्षक, नर्सेस, आयटी प्रोफेशनल, स्किल वर्कर्स, ट्रक ड्रायव्हर्स वगैरे  आणि त्याप्रमाणे किती नवीन परदेशीय नागरिकांना कुठल्या क्षेत्रात कॅनडामध्ये प्रवेश करू द्यायचा, हे ठरते.

मात्र पंजाब मधले अनेक  युवक शिक्षण कमी असल्यामुळे किंवा परीक्षा पास व्हायची पात्रता नसल्यामुळे गैर कानुनी पद्धतीचा वापर करतात. आज पंजाब मध्ये अनेक एजंट्स आणि संस्था आहेत ज्या पंजाब मधल्या युवकांना कॅनडामध्ये प्रवेश करण्यामध्ये मदत करतात.मात्र  पुष्कळशी मदत ही कायद्याच्या विरुद्ध असते. उदाहरणार्थ काही आठवड्यापूर्वी बातमी आली होती की,  पंजाब मधून कॅनडामध्ये शिकण्याकरता आलेले चार हजार विद्यार्थी हे गैरकानुनी रित्या आले होते आणि त्यांना कॅनडाचे सरकार परत पाठवत आहे.

अनेक पंजाबी युवक खोटी सर्टिफिकेट घेऊन येतात, दाखवतात की आपले शिक्षण खूप जास्त झालेले आहे. याशिवाय त्यांना सांगितले जाते की तुमच्या एप्लीकेशन मध्ये तुम्ही असे दाखवा की तुम्ही सिख असल्यामुळे तुमच्यावरती पंजाब मध्ये अत्याचार होत आहेत आणि तुमचे मानव अधिकार हनन होत आहे, म्हणून भारतातील जुलमी राजवटी मधून सुटण्याकरता, तुम्ही कॅनडामध्ये आश्रय घेण्याकरता येत आहे. असे दिसते की कॅनडामध्ये आलेल्या अनेक युवकांच्या अर्जामध्ये त्यांच्यावरती खूप अन्याय झाले आहे असे दाखवण्यात आलेले आहे. जर तुमच्यावरती अन्याय  होत असतील, तर कॅनडा एक उदारमतवादी देश म्हणून अशा अश्या नागरिकांना कॅनडामध्ये प्रवेश देतो. पुरेशी शैक्षणिक किंवा इतर क्वालिफिकेशन नसले तर माझे मानव अधिकार भंग होत आहेत हे कॅनडामध्ये नागरिकत्व मिळण्यासाठी एक अतिशय उपयुक्त कारण ठरते .

पंजाब मधील अनेक गुन्हेगार,तस्करी करणारे हे पंजाब पोलीस पासून वाचण्याकरता कॅनडामध्ये येऊन राहतात .नंतर खालीस्तानी उग्रवादी संघटनांमध्ये सामील होऊन, आपले खरे रूप लपवायचा प्रयत्न करतात. असे शेकडो गुन्हेगार आज कॅनडामध्ये स्थायिक झालेले आहेत.कॅनडामधील तीस हुन जास्त नागरिकांना दहशतवादी किंवा गुन्हेगार म्हणून भारताने घोषित केले आहे .त्यांना इंटरपोल द्वारे नोटीस पण देण्यात आलेली आहे. मात्र कॅनडा सरकार त्यावरती मतपेटीच्या राजकारण्याकरता कारवाई करायला तयार नाही. नॅशनल इन्वेस्टीगेशन एजन्सी ने आता भारतीय कायद्याच्या अंतर्गत अशा गुन्हेगारांची संपत्ती जप्त केली आहे.

अनेक वर्षापासून भारताच्या पंजाब मध्ये अफू गांजा चरस यांचे प्रमाण फार वाढलेले आहे. 2022 च्या आकडेवारी प्रमाणे पाकिस्तानने 288हून जास्त ड्रोन्स पंजाब मध्ये ड्रग्ज घेउन पाठवली आणि खरा आकडा याहुन खुप जास्त आहे. यामधील केवळ पाच किंवा सहा ड्रोन्स मधील अफ़ु आपल्याला पकडता आली. बाकीची गायब झाली. नशेचे प्रमाण पंजाब मध्ये खूपच वाढलेले आहे. काही वर्षांपूर्वी एक सिनेमा आला होता ज्याचं नाव होतं "उडता पंजाब". यामध्ये अफ़ुगांजा चरसमुळे, पंजाबी युवकांची अवस्था कशी भयानक झाली आहे याचे चित्रण होते. सरकारी आकड्याप्रमाणे वीस लाखाहून जास्त पंजाबी युवक हे नशेच्या आहारी गेले आहेत आणि त्यामुळे लाखो कुटुंबे नष्ट झालेली आहेत. म्हणून पंजाब मधली अनेक कुटुंबे आपल्या तरुण युवकांना नशेपासून वाचवण्याकरता पंजाब मधून बाहेर पाठवतात.

पंजाब मध्ये श्रीमंती खूप आहे. तिथली जमीन अत्यंत सुपीक आहे, परंतु पंजाबचे युवक शेती करू इच्छित नाहीत. पंजाबची शेती ही बिहारी किंवा बांगलादेशींकडून केली जाते. पंजाब मधिल कुटुंबे आपली महागडी शेती जमीन विकून कॅनडा मध्ये जाण्याकरता मोठ्या प्रमाणामध्ये एजंट्स किंवा संस्थांना पैसे देतात.

LAC Security: Construction Of New Road To India's Northernmost Military Base Nears Completion In Ladakh

India has been rapidly advancing its border infrastructure in response to China's developments in border areas, especially since the Galwan Valley skirmish in June 2020. (BRO/X)

This new road to Daulat Beg Oldi is set to support critical military operations by the end of November, with plans to fully pave it within a year.

India is making significant strides in reshaping the strategic landscape of Ladakh, a region where tensions with China have persisted due to border disputes and military ambitions.

Indian officials have disclosed that a major project is nearing completion to establish crucial alternative connectivity to the remote and strategically vital outpost near the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The new road leading to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), which is India's northernmost military base, will facilitate the movement of soldiers, equipment, and supplies to strengthen the front lines.

This road has the distinct advantage of being hidden from view across the LAC, unlike the only existing road to DBO from Darbuk. Additionally, its location farther from the LAC reduces its vulnerability to potential attacks from across the border.

This new road is set to support critical military operations by the end of November, with plans to fully pave it within a year.

Approximately 2,000 individuals are working diligently to meet this deadline. The road construction spans 130 kilometres from Sasoma in the Nubra Valley to DBO near the Karakoram Pass, reports Hindustan Times.

The most challenging phase of the construction has now begun, which includes navigating steep glaciated terrain and constructing a bridge over the Shyok River.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is employing state-of-the-art technologies to overcome these final construction hurdles.

This project gained momentum three years ago amid escalating military tensions between India and China. The two countries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020, and a comprehensive resolution of the border crisis remains elusive.

Depsang, located within the DBO sector, continues to be a problematic area in the border dispute.

Key sections of the Sasoma-Saser La-Saser Brangsa-Gapshan-DBO road have already been completed. For instance, out of the 52-km stretch between Sasoma and the 17,600-foot Saser La, 46 km have been paved, with the remaining 6 km being the most challenging due to glaciated terrain.

Innovative techniques, such as geocells made of polymer, are being employed to stabilise and enhance the road's durability.

Connectivity between Saser La and Saser Brangsa has been established, and blacktopping for the 27-km stretch is on track to be completed by October 2024.

Meanwhile, the 42-km Saser Brangsa-Gapshan section is in active construction, with 31 km already built and the entire stretch expected to be paved within a year. The 10-km stretch between Gapshan and DBO will also be ready by the next year.

This new road will introduce an additional axis, branching out from Saser Brangsa to Murgo on the DS-DBO road, with an 18-km stretch projected to be fully operational by the middle of the following year.

This section poses a unique challenge, necessitating the construction of a 345-metre bridge over the Shyok River with seven piers, for which micropiles are being utilised.

Former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retired) emphasises the strategic importance of the "Sub Sector North," encompassing the Karakoram Pass, Depsang plains, and the DBO landing ground. The new road offers a safer alternative to the DS-DBO road that runs close to the LAC, reducing the risk of being cut off during operations.

To ensure all-weather connectivity, BRO is planning a 7-km tunnel under Saser La, with construction set to commence in 2025 and potential completion by 2028.

India has been rapidly advancing its border infrastructure in response to China's developments in border areas, especially since the Galwan Valley skirmish in June 2020. This infrastructure improvement is a strategic move to enhance military readiness in challenging terrains.

BRO has successfully completed nearly 300 critical projects in the last three years, amounting to Rs 8,000 crore in investment. The organisation continues to work on key projects in the Ladakh sector, even as diplomatic talks between India and China are ongoing to resolve border issues.

While there has been disengagement in some areas, significant troop deployments and advanced weaponry persist in the Ladakh theatre. Challenges at Depsang and Demchok remain on the negotiation table, highlighting the continued importance of infrastructure development in the region

Ordeal of Canadian students 'Students mustn't go to Canada till they've Rs 50 lakh to spare besides fee'Punjab students invest Rs 68,000 crore annually in Canadian education$1,800 earning, $1,550 rent!

September 26

A majority of the families that have sent their wards to Canada on student visa concur with Canadian businessman Sukhi Bath’s opinion that parents must set aside an additional Rs 50 lakh as expenses for initial five years even after paying the first year college fee and the GIC (guaranteed investment certificate) amount.

Related News

• 'Students mustn't go to Canada till they've Rs 50 lakh to spare besides fee'

• Punjab students invest Rs 68,000 crore annually in Canadian education

No Greener Pastures

Annual college fee Rs 20 lakh

Average annual salary in first five years Rs 20 lakh

Rent per annum Rs 12 lakh

A few locals whose children are in Toronto and Brampton said the job scenario in the two cities was dismal and a fresher was earning a meagre 12-15 dollars per hour. “A financial backup is a must. At least half of the annual college fee, rentals and other expenses have to be borne by parents to ensure their child studies well and gets a good job upon the completion of the course,” says Palak Sharma, whose son is studying business management in Brampton.

Palak says securing a job remained an uphill task for her son in his first year. “He did menial tasks and was hardly paid. On a student visa, he could work only 20 hours a week and earned about 1,800 dollars a month. Of this, 1,550 dollars went as rent alone…. We paid his entire Rs 20 lakh second year fee, in addition to other expenses. It’s no different in the third year,” she says.

Sukhi Bath, who lives in Surrey and runs an NGO, ‘Punjab Bhawan’, for the welfare of students had here yesterday suggested keeping an additional backup of Rs 50 lakh for the first five years.

India talks tough-Sends out stern message to Canada and its allies

AMID a diplomatic fracas with Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan terror accused Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India has exhorted the UN member states not to allow ‘political convenience’ to determine responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Addressing the 78th UN General Assembly session in New York, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar didn’t mince words when he stated that respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of countries could not be ‘exercises in cherry-picking’. In a reaffirmation of India’s fiercely independent foreign policy, Jaishankar said the days when a few nations set the agenda and expected others to fall in line are over.

It is laudable that India has held its ground despite being in the crosshairs of the Five Eyes — the intelligence-sharing alliance between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US — with regard to the Nijjar case. During a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations after his UN address, Jaishankar said New Delhi had conveyed to Ottawa that it was open to looking at ‘specific’ and ‘relevant’ information concerning the case. With regard to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that agents of the Indian Government were linked to the June 18 murder, he clarified that it was not India’s policy to indulge in such activities.

This tough stand should make Canada and its allies realise that India is no longer a country beholden to the West. New Delhi has rightly put the onus on Ottawa to first set its own house in order before pointing a finger at other nations. In recent years, the Maple Country has witnessed many incidents of organised crime related to secessionism and extremism, but not much has been done to rein in anti-India elements. India-Canada cooperation can make headway only if the latter stops hosting terrorists while claiming the moral high ground

CHINESE DISINFORMATION WAR AGAINST WORLD

 An emerging community of digital authoritarians. The PRC promotes digital authoritarianism, which involves the use of digital infrastructure to repress freedom of expression, censor independent news, promote disinformation, and deny other human rights.3 Through disseminating technologies for surveillance and censorship, often through capabilities bundled under the umbrella of “smart” or “safe cities,” the PRC has exported aspects of its domestic information environment globally. Beijing has also propagated information control tactics, with a particular focus on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In parallel, the PRC has promoted authoritarian digital norms that other countries have adopted at a rapid pace. As other countries emulate the PRC, their information ecosystems have become more receptive to Beijing’s propaganda, disinformation, and censorship requests. Future Impact The PRC’s global information manipulation is not simply a matter of public diplomacy – but a challenge to the integrity of the global information space. Unchecked, Beijing’s efforts could result in a future in which technology exported by the PRC, coopted local governments, and fear of Beijing’s direct retaliation produce a sharp contraction of global freedom of expression. Beijing would play a significant – and often hidden – role in determining the print and digital content that audiences in developing countries consume. Multilateral fora and select bilateral relationships would amplify Beijing’s preferred narratives on issues such as Taiwan and the international economy. Access to global data combined with the latest developments in artificial intelligence technology would enable the PRC to surgically target foreign audiences and thereby perhaps influence economic and security decisions in its favor. Lastly, Beijing’s global censorship efforts would result in a highly curated international information environment characterized by gaps and inherent pro-PRC biases. In this future, the information available to publics, media, civil society, academia, and governments as they engage with the PRC could be distorted by propaganda and disinformation and circumscribed by censorship. This would pose a direct challenge to all nations that seek to predicate their relations with the PRC on fact-based assessments of their sovereign interests. This future is not pre-ordained. Although backed by unprecedented resources, the PRC’s propaganda and censorship have, to date, yielded mixed results. When targeting democratic countries, Beijing has encountered major setbacks, often due to pushback from local media and civil society. Global understanding of PRC information manipulation is a starting point for a future in which the PRC’s ideas, values, and stories must compete on an even playing field

HOW CHINA MANUPULATES WORLD OPINION

 Every country should have the ability to tell its story to the world. However, a nation’s narrative should be based on facts and rise and fall on its own merits. The PRC employs a variety of deceptive and coercive methods as it attempts to influence the international information environment. Beijing’s information manipulation spans the use of propaganda, disinformation, and censorship. Unchecked, the PRC’s efforts will reshape the global information landscape, creating biases and gaps that could even lead nations to make decisions that subordinate their economic and security interests to Beijing’s. PRC Information Manipulation The PRC spends billions of dollars annually on foreign information manipulation efforts.2 Beijing uses false or biased information to promote positive views of the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At the same time, the PRC suppresses critical information that contradicts its desired narratives on issues such as Taiwan, its human rights practices, the South China Sea, its domestic economy, and international economic engagement. More broadly, the PRC seeks to cultivate and uphold a global incentive structure that encourages foreign governments, elites, journalists, and civil society to accept its preferred narratives and avoid criticizing its conduct. The PRC’s approach to information manipulation includes leveraging propaganda and censorship, promoting digital authoritarianism, exploiting international organizations and bilateral partnerships, pairing cooptation and pressure, and exercising control of Chinese-language media. Collectively, these five elements could enable Beijing to reshape the global information environment along multiple axes: Overt and covert influence over content and platforms. Beijing seeks to maximize the reach of biased or false pro-PRC content. It has acquired stakes in foreign media through public and non-public means and sponsored online influencers. Beijing has also secured sometimes restrictive content sharing agreements with local outlets that can result in trusted mastheads providing legitimacy to unlabeled or obscured PRC content. In addition, Beijing has also worked to coopt prominent voices in the international information environment such as foreign political elites and journalists. Beyond focusing on content producers, the PRC has targeted platforms for global information dissemination, for example, investing in digital television services in Africa and satellite networks. Constraints on global freedom of expression. On issues it deems sensitive, the PRC has employed online and real-world intimidation to silence dissent and encourage self-censorship. The PRC has also taken measures against corporations in situations where they are perceived to have challenged its desired narratives on issues like Xinjiang. Within democratic countries, Beijing has taken advantage of open societies to take legal action to suppress critical voices. On WeChat, an application used by many Chinese-speaking communities outside the PRC, Beijing has exercised technical censorship and harassed individual content producers. Notably, data harvested by PRC corporations operating overseas have enabled Beijing to fine-tune global censorship by targeting specific individuals and organizations

Countering Chinese Grey Zone Warfare In Maritime Domain

 Global maritime operations conducted by Beijing serve a dual purpose as intelligence-gathering outposts. Over the past three decades, the Chinese government has been actively seeking access and influence in open seas, strategic shipping lanes, and foreign ports worldwide.

China's ownership, co-ownership, or operation of around 96 foreign ports globally reflects its expanding portfolio, including recent acquisitions in Hamburg, Germany, and the Solomon Islands.

Given Beijing's increasingly adversarial stance towards the West in economic and geopolitical matters, it is imperative to thoroughly comprehend and mitigate the risks associated with Chinese maritime infrastructure ownership.

What specific measures should the Western world and India take to mitigate challenges posed by Chinese takeover of maritime assets all over the world?

What should be done so that free flow of global merchant traffic takes place both during peace time and war time?

Following specific measures that should to be taken:-

 

Carry out Security Assessments: Conduct thorough security assessments of Chinese-owned or operated ports and maritime infrastructure to identify potential vulnerabilities and risks. This should involve close cooperation between Western intelligence agencies, maritime agencies, and govt authorities.

Western nations and India should establish stringent review mechanisms to scrutinize foreign investments in strategic maritime assets, especially those with potential national security implications. Transparency in ownership and operations is vital. 

Force Chinese to increase Transparency and Accountability: Encourage transparency in Chinese maritime investments and operations. Require Chinese companies to adhere to international standards of transparency and accountability, making it easier to monitor their activities and ensure compliance with security and environmental regulations. 

Diversification of Port Operators: Promote diversification of port operators by encouraging investments from a variety of countries. This reduces dependence on China and will help maintaining the autonomy of ports.

China customs data showed on Wednesday exports of germanium and gallium slumped to zero in August.

Imposed on grounds of national security, new export restrictions require exporters to seek a license to ship some gallium and germanium compounds starting Aug. 1.

China did not export any germanium and gallium products in August, after export curbs kicked into effect at the start of that month for these two chipmaking metals. 

Customs data showed that China exported zero germanium product last month, down from 8.63 metric tons in July 

July germanium exports were more than double that of June’s, as purchases spiked ahead of the effective date for the curbs that are part of China’s escalating war with the U.S. and its allies over access to strategic technology.

 

There were also no exports of gallium products in August, compared to the 5.15 tons exported in July, customs data showed.

 Germanium and gallium are not found naturally, and are by-products of the refineries of other metals.

 Chip making nations such as the U.S. are teaming up against China

Germanium is used in solar products and fiber optics, and can be employed in military applications such as night-vision goggles. Gallium is used for manufacturing the gallium arsenide chemical compound, which is used to make radio frequency chips for mobile phones and satellite communication, and semiconductors. 

Citing national security concerns, China’s commerce ministry imposed new restrictions requiring exporters to seek a license to ship some gallium and germanium compounds starting Aug. 1. 

In October, the U.S. had launched sweeping rules aimed at cutting off exports of key chips and semiconductor tools to China. The measures are believed to have the potential to cripple China’s ambitions to boost its domestic technology industries. 

The U.S. has also lobbied key chip making nations and allies, like the Netherlands and Japan, to introduce export restrictions of their own.

No Way Taiwan Will Accept Reunification with China: Gen. Naravane
Last month, former Army Chief Gen. MM Naravane was among three retired Indian service chiefs who visited Taiwan to attend a security dialogue, a visit that made headlines here. Playing down the hype over the trip, Gen. Naravane says it was not the first time a retired service chief visited Taiwan. He also gave a sense of the general mood in Taiwan, saying, after the Hong Kong experience, the Taiwanese feel that ‘one country two systems’ isn’t workable and that the country will in no way accept reunification with China.

National Pension System - Why it should be a part of your financial plan- Mr. Sriram Iyer – Chief Executive Officer,HDFC Pension Management Company Limited PART 2

 Tax Benefits 

Tax benefits are important. You want to ensure that you get the benefits at every stage such as on investment, on accruals and on redemption. Each product has its own tax advantage – however not all may offer the benefits at every stage of the investment. Hence choosing the right product is important.

The National Pension System (NPS) is a product that stands out in terms of the above factors. To begin with, NPS is a low-cost, market-linked, retirement corpus accumulation tool.

NPS was launched in 2004 for government employees. In the year 2011, it was made available for employees from the private sector as well. There are two types of accounts under NPS – Tier 1 and Tier 2.  Tier 1 account is the one where you are eligible for tax advantages. Tier 2 account is a simple investment management account. Tier 2 account is not eligible for tax benefits.

There are four asset classes available, in which you can allocate your investment - Equity referred to as the ‘E’ category, Corporate Bonds which is referred to as the ‘C’ category and Government Securities  which is referred to as the ‘G’ category. The fourth asset category is Alternate Investments referred as ‘A’. This plan invests in Alternative Investment Funds (AIF Category I and II), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), Basel III Tier 1 bonds and securitised papers. This asset class was introduced in 2016 and can be considered if you have an appetite for risk. However, as NPS focuses on long-term corpus building, to ensure your risks are limited, there is a cap on investments in this class. You can invest up to 5 percent in this scheme under the active choice option.

Now that you have a brief introduction to NPS, let us take a look at special features which make this product an attractive option for building your retirement corpus:

In NPS there is an option to choose between Active and Auto Choice for portfolio management. Under Active Choice you can self-manage your NPS portfolio asset allocation. Auto Choice works well for those who do not have the time or expertise to self-manage. Under this option there is automatic rebalancing of the portfolio where the asset allocation ensures that the risk is reduced with increasing age

NPS has low charges (less than 0.10% - almost 1/15th of the fund management cost of other comparable actively managed funds)

NPS being a long-term investment product enables you to benefit from the power of compounding

NPS offers you Tax advantage

NPS as a product has a strong risk management framework defined by PFRDA through clearly defined investable universe for Pension Fund Managers

There is close regulatory monitoring/supervision and course correction of Pension Fund Managers’ performance. 

Who can join the NPS? 

Any Indian Citizen (resident or non-resident) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), aged between 18-70 years can join. The individual needs to be compliant to Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. 

Can an NRI join NPS? 

Yes, an NRI between the age of 18 – 60 years, as on the date of submission of his/her application and complying with the extant KYC norms, can open an NPS account. 

How can you open an NPS account? 

You can open an NPS account in the following manner:

Through Points of Presence (PoPs) registered with PFRDA through their website (Online) or by filing up an application form (Physical mode) - Point of Presence (PoP) is the distribution channel and the first point of contact for applicants and subscribers. PoPs are mandated to provide services related to Subscriber Registration (Collection of forms and KYC verification), receiving /uploading contributions, processing subscriber requests for updation of account details, exercising choices, withdrawals, grievances resolution, etc.

Through the online platform (eNPS) of NPS Trust

 

An NPS subscriber's data is stored with the Central Record-keeping Agency (CRA). It is responsible for the centralized record keeping, administration, as well as customer service functions for all NPS subscribers. Presently, there are 3 CRAs in India - Protean, KFintech and CAMS. As a subscriber, you can choose any one.

Conclusion 

A financial plan is never complete without retirement planning. When planning for your retirement, evaluate NPS and you will be surprised to see the benefits it offers at an extremely low cost.

National Pension System - Why it should be a part of your financial plan- Mr. Sriram Iyer – Chief Executive Officer,HDFC Pension Management Company Limited PART 1

Retirement is a unique phase in the life of every working individual. Each one of us has a dream about the kind of life we would want to live after retirement – be it simply spending more time with our near and dear ones, pursuing hobbies/ vocations that we couldn’t nurture during our working years or travelling – it’s a long list. A big portion of our earnings are usually dedicated towards ensuring well-being of the family, fulfillment of long and short-term goals, vacations, gifts and planning our children’s future. While retirement is inevitable, the planning for it often starts much later, sometimes as late as our fifties.

For our previous generation, retirement planning was not critical as there were joint families that one could rely on. But things have been changing for a while now and there is a growing trend of nuclear families. Further, medical inflation is high which means that the cost of treatment keeps increasing. With increasing age, you cannot ignore the need for healthcare expenses as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. All of these factors have now made it necessary to plan well in advance for retirement.

The choice of financial product used for retirement planning would vary for each individual. There is a wide range of products available – Employee Provident Fund, Public Provident Fund, Life Insurance, Mutual Funds, National Pension System (NPS), etc. Each product category offers a unique set of benefits and has its own risk-reward profile.

Retirement is a long-term goal; hence it is advisable to go for an instrument that offers benefits over the long-term. Also, you need to be mindful of the fact that the corpus should not deplete in case of market volatility or due to frequent withdrawals for fulfillment of short-term goals.

Some of the factors that you need to keep in mind while choosing your retirement planning product are: 

Think long-term 

Any product that you choose for building a corpus needs to be long-term. You are thinking about your life after you retire – which means that if you are 30 or 40 years old today you will need to stay invested in this product for the next 20 – 30 years.

Further, you would also benefit from the power of compounding. If you save Rs.50,000 per year for a period of 25 years – assuming a rate of return of 8% p.a. you could create a corpus of around Rs.40 lakhs. If you start the same activity from the age of 30, your corpus would be Rs.25 lakhs, Rs.15 lakhs lesser. So, the sooner you start and the longer you stay invested, the better it is. 

Returns matter 

Choose an instrument that gives potentially higher returns over the long term and beats inflation. Historically, equities as an asset class have given superior returns over the long-term. Also, market volatilities get ironed out over a longer period of time thus potentially increasing your returns. 

Charges

There is a fund management charge on every market-linked investment. Choose a product with low fund management charges in order to maximise your investment. If your cost of managing money is higher by 1% over a 25-year time horizon, the size of your corpus would be 10-15% lower. In other words, by saving on the cost of fund management you could potentially build a corpus that is 12-15% higher, even at a gross compounding rate of say 8% p.a.

Managing investments

All of us are not equipped with the knowhow to actively manage our investments. Further, the asset allocation for each portfolio has to be monitored as per age and the corresponding risk appetite. It helps to have a product that can support in these areas.

Managing behavioral biases 

In order to make money from equity as an asset class, it is important to stay invested through market cycles and not succumb to the noise around. A product that enables investment in a disciplined manner, keeping you committed to your retirement corpus building goal is a good way to manage human emotions and behavioral biases that interfere with long term wealth creation. 

#SecurityScan 59: Canada’s Support to Khalistani Terrorism and much more The US-India defence talks aim to finalize a security of supply arrangement and increase market access for US and Indian defense industries.

https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2023/9/28/NB-Security-Scan-59.html 

Pakistan - A failed state

 Pakistan Prioritising Jihad in India Over Economy?

 Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif blamed former Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster Faiz Hameed for the turmoil the nation finds itself in.

 “Today India has reached the moon, the G20 meeting is being held in India, and Pakistan is begging countries around the world for a billion dollars,” Nawaz Sharif said.

Sharif lauded India’s economic growth and compared it to Pakistan and pointed out that the Pakistani Prime Minister has to go to Beijing and capitals of Arab nations with a begging bowl asking for funds. He said it is regrettable that Pakistan is on the brink of defaulting on its debts.

 It should be noted that former Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former spymaster and the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (DG-ISI) Faiz Hameed were favoured by the former prime minister Imran Khan.

 While Bajwa had his tenure extended during Khan’s reign and is accused of rigging the elections to engineer the former cricketer’s victory in the 2018 elections, Hameed was appointed as DG-ISI during the Imran Khan regime.

 Secret Pakistani arms sale to US helped facilitate IMF bailout

 A secret arms sales agreement between Pakistan and the United States helped facilitate a bailout from the IMF earlier this year, according to The Intercept. The arms sales were intended to supply the Ukrainian military, indicating Pakistani involvement in a conflict it had been pressured to take sides on.

 External Security

 Anantnag gunfight over; LeT commander Uzair Khan among 2 terrorists killed:

 "Till now, LeT commander Uzair Khan's body has been recovered. The dead body of another terrorist is visible, but it has not been possible to retrieve it yet," army told in Anantnag. The gunfight, which began in the Gadole forest area of the south Kashmir district on Wednesday last week, is over, but the search operation will continue.

 Canada’s Support to Khalistani Terrorism

 Is Justin Trudeau reconsidering his approach to diplomatic relations with India? Just a day after accusing India of orchestrating the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, Trudeau has been quoted as saying that Canada is not seeking to provoke India. However, this statement may come a bit too late, considering the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats that has already taken place. Additionally, a closer examination of the statements made by Canada's Western allies suggests that none of them, including the US, have publicly expressed support for Canada's stance. In fact, some reports suggest that these allies even refused to issue a joint statement with Canada regarding the Nijjar case. It remains uncertain whether Trudeau will reevaluate his position, but what is evident is that there are several issues with Canada's approach.

 Firstly, Canada's actions were based on "credible allegations" rather than concrete evidence. There is a significant distinction between allegations and evidence. Secondly, India has legitimate reasons to voice its concerns. It has repeatedly communicated with the Canadian government about the presence of extremist Khalistanis in Canada, who have targeted Indian diplomats. Canadian authorities were also alerted to the risks posed by Khalistani groups to Canada itself due to their connections with global narcotics networks and Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations. Nevertheless, these extremists seem to operate with relative impunity. Thirdly, while Sikhs make up 2.1% of Canada's population, radical elements within the community wield disproportionate influence in Canadian politics, particularly in provinces like British Columbia, where they play a role in mobilizing Sikh votes.

 This context helps explain Trudeau's political posturing. Faced with low approval ratings and leading a minority government, he may be seeking an issue to boost his popularity. India should remain steadfast and allow Trudeau to determine how far he is willing to take this situation.

 The Trudeau government's allegation lacks credibility and appears to be part of a coordinated effort to target India. It is likely that Khalistani extremist Nijjar, who was involved in criminal activities and gang conflicts, fell victim to his own criminal associates.

 Exactly three months after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani extremist and the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, as well as the head of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, Vancouver, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau made a startling announcement during an emergency session of parliament. He claimed there were "credible allegations" of the involvement of "Indian agents" in Nijjar's death and ordered the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat for their alleged role in the "assassination." 

Trudeau used the term "credible allegations" rather than "credible evidence." Despite three months passing since the incident, Canadian agencies have not disclosed any significant progress in their investigation into the killing, and there is no publicly available evidence to support Trudeau's statement. However, Trudeau's statement is likely to influence further investigations into the case. 

India's military relationships with Canada to continue: Indian Army 

The Indian Army stated that tensions between India and Canada do not affect them, emphasizing that their diplomatic and military relationships with Canada remain intact. The Indian Army's Additional Director General mentioned that Canada's Chief of the Defence Staff will be visiting India for the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference. The conference aims to strengthen security partnerships in the region. Indo-Canadian relations have recently soured due to allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister regarding the Indian government's involvement in a shooting incident.

 

Countering Chinese Grey Zone Warfare In Maritime Domain Stop Chinese Use Of Maritime Assets, Shipping For Maritime Intelligence Operations part 1

 There are ongoing investigations into whether China's shipping cranes could be utilized as espionage tools. Beijing's systematic information-gathering endeavors potentially enable the pinpointing of critical Western and Indian  trade and supply chain vulnerabilities, as well as the monitoring of military shipments, equipment, and components.

 

Global maritime operations conducted by Beijing serve a dual purpose as intelligence-gathering outposts. Over the past three decades, the Chinese government has been actively seeking access and influence in open seas, strategic shipping lanes, and foreign ports worldwide.

China's ownership, co-ownership, or operation of around 96 foreign ports globally reflects its expanding portfolio, including recent acquisitions in Hamburg, Germany, and the Solomon Islands.

Given Beijing's increasingly adversarial stance towards the West in economic and geopolitical matters, it is imperative to thoroughly comprehend and mitigate the risks associated with Chinese maritime infrastructure ownership.

What specific measures should the Western world and India take to mitigate challenges posed by Chinese takeover of maritime assets all over the world?

What should be done so that free flow of global merchant traffic takes place both during peace time and war time?

 

Approximately 90% of the world's trade relies on sea routes to transport finished goods, components, and commodities to international markets. However, this critical maritime trade is vulnerable to disruptions caused by various factors such as pandemics, port congestion, or ship blockages in canals. While historical wartime embargoes involved fleets of ships, contemporary warfare can incapacitate shipping through the manipulation of information.

 

Chinese seeking influence in open seas, strategic shipping lanes, and foreign ports

Foreign ownership or control of ports and logistics operations is not inherently problematic, as companies from the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates similarly own and manage numerous overseas ports.

Our understanding must encompass identifying precisely what information Beijing has access to, what data it collects, and how intelligence-gathering activities are linked to Chinese port operations.

China's maritime operations raise two significant concerns. First, China has introduced extensive and relatively opaque information-gathering infrastructure at critical ports across the world. Second, Chinese laws mandate that all Chinese companies, whether private or state-owned, operating abroad must gather and report intelligence on foreign entities to the Chinese government.

 

Given Beijing's increasingly adversarial stance towards the West in economic and geopolitical matters, it is imperative to thoroughly comprehend and mitigate the risks associated with Chinese infrastructure ownership.

 

Out of the world's 75 leading container ports located outside the Chinese mainland, almost half have some degree of Chinese ownership or operational involvement, with the latter being more substantial, enabling China to control access to terminals, supplies, dry docks, and storage facilities. Over half of China's overseas maritime assets are strategically positioned along major shipping routes traversing the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean Sea, and other vital waterways.

 

China's maritime presence, varying from smaller facilities to larger operations with considerable operational control, creates opportunities for extensive information-gathering and strategic activities.

Also, China holds the world's leading shipping capacity, encompassing a vast commercial fleet, including container ships, oil tankers, liquid natural gas transporters, and bulk carriers for commodities like coal and grain. China manufactures over 90% of all shipping containers and 80% of the world's ship-to-shore cranes.

 

Chinese shipping activities serve as data collection outposts, engaged in intelligence-gathering

Chinese shipping activities abroad serve as data collection outposts, engaged in intelligence-gathering and surveillance on a massive scale. Numerous ports globally utilize China's logistical software system, LOGINK, to monitor a wide range of trade-related information, including vessel and cargo status, customs data, billing and payment records, geo location data, pricing information, regulatory filings, permits, passenger manifests, and booking details. Chinese-owned ports also host 5G telecommunications towers, while China provides the operating systems for port facility computers.

Chinese stringent policies, which compel all commercial activities to align with the state's interests. Chinese port, shipping, and logistics companies are legally obligated to gather information for the Chinese Communist Party, and Chinese law obstructs the flow of shipping data, such as vessel location signals, to other nations.

 

China, already possessing the world's largest navy, benefits from access to a global network of state-owned ports. While Beijing operates only one foreign naval base in Djibouti, Chinese military vessels routinely visit Chinese commercial ports, which could serve as crucial resupply points or repair facilities during conflicts. Consequently, China is increasingly emphasizing civilian-military interoperability in maritime infrastructure and other domains.

 

Restoring Western and Indian shipyards to the necessary capacity will require a significant investment

Beijing has blurred the line between commercial and military activities. In fact, all nominally civilian ports constructed with Chinese assistance abroad are designed with potential military use in mind. Additionally, Chinese law mandates that all civilian-owned assets and operations must provide support to the Chinese military in the event of a conflict. Presently, approximately one-third of ports with Chinese company investments have hosted Chinese naval vessels.

 

In February, the shipping giant Maersk took delivery of a new cargo vessel that meets the International Maritime Organization's zero-emission shipping requirements. The vessel, named the Maersk Biscayne, was constructed at the Jiangsu New Yangzi shipyard in China. Maersk has several more ships awaiting construction at Chinese shipyards, highlighting the shipping industry's growing dependence on Chinese facilities.

This dependency becomes a concern at a time when tensions between China and the West are escalating. Unfortunately, restoring Western and Indian shipyards to the necessary capacity will require a significant investment of both time and resources.

"From Tanks to Tractors: Pakistan's Army Transforms for Food Security, Sparking Concerns Over Military Dominance"

In a bid to enhance food security, the Pakistani military is transitioning from tanks to tractors by acquiring extensive parcels of government-owned land. However, this initiative is triggering concerns about the military's ever-present influence in a nation grappling with economic turmoil.

This undertaking, occurring two decades after a deadly uprising sparked by pay disputes at a military-run farm, coincides with Pakistan's struggle with depleting foreign currency reserves that hinder its capacity to import essential food and commodities. Protests have erupted due to surging electricity bills related to the terms of an International Monetary Fund bailout.

 

Launched earlier this year through a collaborative effort between civil and military entities, the new food security plan seeks to bolster agricultural production on state land leased to army-run farms. Advocates assert that this will result in higher crop yields and water conservation. However, the blueprint faces legal challenges and criticism for potentially diverting profits to a military ill-suited for a task that could benefit some of Pakistan's 25 million rural landless individuals.

 

While land is frequently allocated to active and retired military personnel for private use, the latest transfer could potentially establish the Pakistani military as the country's largest landowner, according to critics.

 

An environmental lawyer, representing the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan in challenging the land transfer, remarked, "The role of the army is to defend against external threats and assist the civilian government when requested, nothing more, nothing less."

 

Numerous specifics of the plan remain unclear, including the timeline for full farm operation. On paper, the army aims to acquire up to 1 million acres of land in Punjab province, an area approximately 5,500 times the size of Beijing's Forbidden City or nearly three times the size of Delhi. Most of this land is situated in the Cholistan Desert, an arid region susceptible to water shortages. Additionally, around 110,000 acres of land in adjacent districts are slated for transfer.

 

Although the Lahore High Court initially halted the army's land transfer, this ruling was later overturned by another bench in July.

 

The military has been granted leases for up to 30 years to cultivate cash crops like wheat, cotton, sugar cane, as well as vegetables and fruits. Leaked government documents suggest that 20% of any profit will be allocated for agricultural research and development, with the remainder divided equally between the army and the state government.

 

Fongrow, a subsidiary of an army conglomerate established to provide employment for retired military personnel, has already developed a 2,250-acre corporate farm in Punjab, specializing in cotton and corn. Their website claims a remarkable 135% increase in average crop yields.

 

However, it remains uncertain whether any of the land earmarked for transfer is currently under cultivation or controlled by small landowners. Converting a desert into fertile agricultural land presents another unanswered challenge.

 

"Typically, army officers have limited farming knowledge," remarked one expert. "There are numerous agricultural graduates without jobs who possess the necessary skills to handle this task."

 

Past experiences with army-operated farms have also raised eyebrows. The military has managed farms inherited from the British colonial era for decades. In 2000, a revolt erupted when the army attempted to replace a crop-sharing system with cash payments at a vast site in Punjab. It was revealed that the military's land lease had expired almost 70 years earlier, leading to a crackdown that resulted in numerous arrests and the deaths of at least four farmers. In that case, "the benefits accrued to the military, even though the farms themselves were tilled by tenant farmers who were essentially treated like serfs."

 

Pakistan's military, which already wields significant influence in the nation of around 230 million, gained more authority through recent controversial legislation that legalized all past, current, and future army-government ventures aimed at bolstering national development or strategic interests. These changes come as elections are expected, and public frustration mounts over the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges, which he attributed to the army chief of staff.

 

It's reported that even more land for corporate farming is being offered to Gulf states and China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Local media have quoted the army's chief as seeking approximately $100 billion in investment from these countries, including farm projects, which could facilitate substantial agreements between foreign firms and the Pakistani military.

 

However, the Pakistani government's own policy documents advocate for an alternative approach to addressing food shortages by investing in small farmers and equipping them with the necessary skills to produce their own food, suggesting a different path toward food security in the country.

IS CANADA INDIA'S NEWEST ENEMY- Gen NITIN P GADKARI PART 2

 Is the Timing of the Announcement Significant?

 Many would wonder why Justin Trudeau would risk announcing the suspected allegations of an Indian hand in Nijjar's killing immediately after a successful G20 meeting in New Delhi. Nijjar was killed in June 23, so why now? It could have been before or a little later, too. It is hard to conjecture the timing, but it must be significant. Any reason would be speculation or an intelligent guess.

 One of the principal reasons could be Justin Trudeau is fast losing popularity in Canada. As per a survey conducted by an agency, Justin Trudeau was voted as the worst Prime Minister of the last 55 years in Canada by 30 % of Canadians. As per another research firm, The Angus Reid Institute, Justin Trudeau's disapproval rating in September 2023 had risen to a dismal 63%. Given this fact, Justin Trudeau could be preparing himself for another early election. The next general elections should be before 30 October 2025. Still, as per grapevine in Canada, it could be held in the fall of 2023. A ploy like what he has employed could very well be for the domestic audience to make himself a worthy prime minister for the fourth time. It's a known fact in Canada that Justin Trudeau has gotten shoddy treatment whenever he has visited India. Even during the G20 meeting, he was treated as a pariah while all diplomatic niceties were extended. He skipped the main dinner function hosted by President Murmu, and to add salt to his wounds, his plane developed a snag. It could not take off for an unprecedented 36 hours. Justin Trudeau was waiting to strike to regain some lost pride.

 A second possible reason could be a Western conspiracy to keep Prime Minister Modi in check. The unprecedented success of the 20 meeting and its rising popularity amongst the Global South countries has not gone unnoticed in the West. India's ability to pull off a declaration without the Russian condemnation of the Ukraine war has not appealed to the Western alliance, be it NATO or the EU. The countries who have expressed concern about the Canadian allegations are the UK, Australia and the US. All have expressed concern at the serious allegations made by Canada. None have questioned Justin Trudeau if there is any evidence to prove his allegations; why have they not been shared before making the allegations? Sources suggest that the Canadian prime minister had spoken to the heads of these countries, garnering support for Canada. That they have not openly criticised Prime Minister Mr Modi is possible due to a lack of conclusive evidence with the Canadian authorities. Yet a charge levied by Mr Justin Trudeau goes in their interests to keep Mr Modi in check. The West is miffed at India's stance on the Ukraine war and its continued oil diplomacy with Russia. What better way to get even?

 Who Loses More

In this part, the article looks at which of the two countries lost more due to this fresh diplomatic and political standoff. Justin Trudeau is slipping in the popularity ratings back home. His nearest rival, the CPC (Conservative Party of Canada), has taken the lead. As per the latest ratings, more Canadians favour a majority conservative party rule instead of a liberal minority in coalition with the NDP. The conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre is a more popular Prime Ministerial candidate than Justin Trudeau (32 to 17%). All the above is before the current India backlash by the liberals in the Canadian parliament. Would Trudeau lift his sagging image by 'Witch Hunting' is anyone's guess? Yet it seems unlikely that his latest theatrics will impress the voters, as it lacks support at home and abroad. Most Op-Eds (Opinion Editorials) in Canada are critical of Trudeau for levying such severe charges without concrete proof, which he has not shared in the open.

The aspect which matters most for the Canadians is their sagging economy. The trade figures between India and Canada seem to have an even balance between exports and imports. In 2022, the bilateral between the two countries stood at 8 billion US dollars, with both Imports and Exports at roughly 4 billion US dollars. What was on offing would trouble Canada more than it would bother India. A bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was in the offing, and discussions have continued since 2022. The CEPA was expected to bring a GDP gain of up to 5.9 billion dollars US to Canada by 2035. Earlier this month, the CEPA was put on hold due to the freeze in Indo-Canadian relations. While India is a sought-after partner for free trade deals by most European and South Asian countries, Canada is still juggling the pandemic's after-effects.  600 Canadian companies have invested in India as against India's 30. Canadian pension funds have a cumulative investment of 55 billion US dollars in the Indian markets with a plan to up it to 300 billion. Canada stands to lose substantially by the deferment of the CEPA.

The travel advisory by the Indian government to students and tourists not to travel to Canada in light of the anti-India sentiments existing in some parts of the country, like Brampton, Ontario, would further dampen Canada's revenues. Since the matter is still to peak, it would take a while before the correct estimates of numbers in terms of loss or gain are made public. It might appear on the face of it that Canada stands to lose more even if it makes short-term gains in politics. Fortunately, there are no military fallouts of this feud.

Prognosis

It is hard to see the current standoff letting up in the near future. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has staked his political career on his anti-India tirades. Such a big gamble must have some basis in the liberal party's future schemes. That he has political compulsions of siding with the pro-Khalistan party, the NDP, to stay in power is a known fact. But would a leader stake the future of his party for the sake of a four-year term is the conjecture that political pundits have to ponder. On the side of the Government of India, it can be stated that parties opposed to the ruling BJP alliance, despite their vast differences, have supported the government in fighting the Canadian government's allegations. Congress has supported it, and so has the ruling party in Punjab: the Aam Adami party. Congress had no choice as the Khalistan support in Canada was first raised by Mrs Indira Gandhi to the then Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Pierre Trudeau, the father of Justin Trudeau. Rajiv Gandhi's government bore the aftermath of the Kanishka bombing. Experts believe India has been soft on Canada in denouncing its pro-liberal policies favouring the Khalistanis. The latest freeze in relations would give ample opportunity for India to throw all it has got against the Khalistan interests in Canada, India, and Pakistan. It's unlikely that the Modi government would exonerate the liberal party and their Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in a hurry. Canada would have to think hard about where it stands vis-a-vis India if any amends are to be made. And if that means voting out Justin Trudeau and his party out of power, then it would be a good beginning

IS CANADA INDIA'S NEWEST ENEMY- Gen NITIN P GADKARI PART 1

The Indo-Canada feud was known to most people. While it was known that the relations were on a cold track, the allegations by Justin Trudeau in the Canadian parliament against the Indian government have come as a jolt. What would be the after-effects, and where would India-Canada ties go from here? This piece tries to analyse and answer some questions. It would take a long time before the long-term impact of the crisis is well understood. I hope, for the time being, some questions have been answered. Happy reading.

IS CANADA INDIA'S NEWEST ENEMY

Hollywood movies have been the best barometer to understand America's shifting enemy number one. Depiction of the villain's nationality and business interests were symbolic of US foreign policy concerns. From World War II to the Mission Impossible series, Hollywood showcased villains in ways that would be hard for foreign policy mandarins to portray. A somewhat similar trend is seen in Bollywood movies, too. Would the next Bollywood movie villain be a Canadian? That possibility seems bright in the aftermath of Justin Trudeau's unsubstantiated allegations in the Canadian parliament against India, accusing the Indian government of having a hand in killing a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Justin Trudeau, a Canadian citizen, was declared a terrorist by India in 2020. A man known for violent terrorist acts in India, the Indian government had submitted an extradition request. Najjar was gunned down earlier this year in June 2023 near a Sikh temple in Surrey in the British Columbia Province of Canada by two unidentified bike-borne assailants. India has called these allegations absurd. By stating unproven allegations in the nation's parliament, Justin Trudeau has raised the banner of a political and diplomatic offensive against India.

Historical Perspective

 Canada has been sympathetic to the Pro Khalistan Sikh lobby in their country since the early 1970s. It is hard to pinpoint why it started, but it's easy to explain why it exists today. The easiest way to describe Canada's honeymoon with Pro Khalistan is their lack of understanding of the ramifications of Khalistan politics and their unwillingness to rap the knuckles of a community contributing handsomely to the Canadian economy.

 Canada has been a favoured destination for Indians looking for greener pastures abroad and for Indian students pursuing higher studies. Canada, too, was eager and happy to have a migrant population who were hard-working and studious. It fitted their requirements admirably. People from Punjab benefitted the most from this open-door Canadian policy. They migrated in numbers and took up many jobs which were hard for locals to run. Farming, truck business, highway petrol pumps and restaurants are a few examples. The Sikh population, with their never-say-die approach, thrived and became prosperous.

The turbulent period of the eighties saw a large influx of the Sikh population migrating to Canada under the pretext of persecution by the Indian government. They were pro-Khalistan and Bhindranwle supporters escaping the law after Operation Blue Star. Canadian government proved to be a tacit supporter of these people, who organised into a pro-Khalistan group under the leadership of Sikh leaders like Talwinder Singh Parmar, who was in cahoots with Jagjit Singh Chohan, the self-styled leader of Khalistan operating from London. Under Parmar's leadership, Air India Flight 182 of Kanishka was bombed from Toronto to London. 329 people died, making it the worst aviation tragedy in mid-air until 9/11. Canada botched up the investigation, and despite the plethora of evidence and a commission finding, only one man was convicted of manslaughter, and all he got was fifteen years imprisonment.

The above narrative proves the history of Canada in turning a blind eye to the proliferating pro-Khalistan elements on its soil. The neglect became a compulsion. As Sikhs became more prosperous, their political ambitions and pro-Khalistan roots surfaced more prominent than ever before. They took seats in the Canadian parliament and, since the 2021 general elections, became coalition partners with Justin Trudeau's liberal party. The Liberal Party was ten short of the majority in a 338-seat parliament. They took the support of the NDP (New Democratic Party) led by the Pro Khalistan Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh. The NDP had secured 25 seats. The main opposition to the Liberal Party comes from the conservative party, which could secure only 119 seats, and Bloc Quebecois, who got 32 seats. Given this equation, Jagmeet Singh's NDP became the kingmaker and now calls the shots in charting Justin Trudeau's India policy.

 Is Justin Trudeau Justified in Accusing India?

The answer to this question lies in the politics of Justin Trudeau and his party. For long, the liberals have been hobnobbing with the Khalistani elements in Canada. They are prosperous and added to the vote bank, and party funds resonated with the political parties. However, their understanding of its ramifications in India was poorly understood or, at best, ignored. The Indian governments, cutting across party lines, had been requesting the Canadian governments to reign in the separatist elements who had taken shelter in Canada. In 2015, a lookout notice was sent to the Canadian government on Hardeep Sing Nijjar, the terrorist at the centre of the controversy over his extradition to India. The Canadian government was conspicuous by its inaction to the Indian government's request. The final nail in the coffin was when, in 2017, Justin Trudeau, as the prime minister of Canada, attended a Sikh parade in Toronto which voiced a cessation from India by displaying Khalistan flags and photos of Bhindranwale, the separatist militant leader killed in Operation Blue Star, in 1984. India sent a strong demarche to the Canadian high commissioner in New Delhi, condemning the presence of their prime minister at such an event, which openly advocated for separatism in India. Justin Trudeau's India stance was thus clear; he refused to act against Canada's free speech and demonstrations tradition. He, therefore, was on the foreign ministry sights for a diplomatic snub. His 2018 state visit to India was exactly that: A Great Snub. His week-long visit saw the Canadian prime minister shuttling across the length and breadth of the nation in a photo op without meeting any senior government functionary. Suppose the recent utterings in his parliament have their origins in that state tour, then it won't come as a surprise to Canada watchers.

The freeze that started in 2018 between the two nations peaked in the recent G 20 visit. It was known before the meeting that relations with Canada were going only one way: South, thanks to their undeterred support of the Khalistan faction at home. Posters had appeared on the streets threatening Indian diplomats with dire consequences, meaning death threats. A tableau called a 'Float' in Canada was taken out in a referendum parade by Khalistan Supporters eulogising the brutal killing of Mrs Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguard in June this year. India condemned the entire proceedings and took up this matter with the Canadian government and their high commission in India but to no avail. It was then clear that the Justin Trudeau government was out of its depth to take any concrete action against the pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. Hence, the future was known to be bleak. What followed in the G20 and the aftermath was a foregone conclusion. Is Justin Trudeau justified in doing what he did? It would depend upon which side one is on. From an Indian perspective, he is out of political depth to start such a political misadventure, which could bury him politically at home and abroad.