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Canada rejects allegations on support to Sikh separatists

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Canada rejects allegations on support to Sikh separatists

Calls Outlook story ridiculous

Canadian government  was on Wednesday in “damage control mode”  when its Indian born Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan called Outlook magazine’s accusations as “ridiculous” and “offensive” that Canada was complicit in rising the Sikh terrorism.

The controversy has triggered at a time when Canadian PM Justin Trudeau is scheduled to visit India from February 17 to 23. During his six day long trip, he will also visit Agra, Amritsar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Apart from his meetings with Indian leadership, he will participate in several business roundtables to promote trade and investment between the two countries.

The Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and another Sikh minister Amarjit Sohi  have made it clear that they neither sympathize with, nor espouse the Sikh nationalist movement demanding for  a separate country called Khalistan within India’s Punjab region.

Sajjan said that the accusation is “ridiculous” and Canada is being “sucked into” internal Indian politics. He reportedly said on Wednesday, “I’ve been a police officer, I’ve served my country and any allegation like that is absolutely ridiculous and I find it extremely offensive as well.”

Outlook magazine, in its February 12 edition features a photo of Trudeau and a headline on the cover that reads, “Khalistan-II: Made in Canada.”

Canada rejects allegations on support to Sikh separatistsThe magazine, through its articles, has  described the alleged connections between Canada and the Sikh movement and accused Canadian Sikh community of exploiting country’s political system and blame free speech for allowing fundamentalist language to flourish.

Amarjit Sohi, the infrastructure minister has also clarified that he does not sympathize with the cause, nor does he hear much talk about it in the Sikh community.

“If there is a small segment of people in Canada who talk about separation, who talk about the creation of Khalistan, if they do that in a peaceful way that is their right to do so but this is not an issue that I hear in the community,” Sohi said.

“From my point of view this is not an issue for the Canadian population, this is not an issue for the Indo-Canadian community within Canada, and I don’t feel it necessary to be engaging in something that is completely irrelevant from a Canadian’s point of view,” he added.

There are about 4.7 lakh Sikhs in Canada where 16 MPs of Sikh origin were elected in 2015. There are four Sikhs in the federal cabinet, including Sajjan and Sohi.

Outlook blames Canada’s allowance for free speech about human rights for giving “free reign” to more fundamentalist language that has led to the “radical capture of key Gurdwaras.”

CBC News reports that an unnamed source in the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office has played down the impact the issue is going to have on Trudeau’s India trip. He said that it will come up but will not be a focus during the visit.

The source further said that if pressed, Trudeau — who leaves for India next week — will “stand up for free speech and also reiterate Canada’s policy in favour of a united India.”

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Trump pledges permanent pause on migration from Third World countries in Thanksgiving message

US President Donald Trump declared that migration from all Third World countries will be permanently paused, criticising current immigration policies and announcing measures to remove non-citizens who he says do not benefit the US.

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US President Donald Trump has announced that he will “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries”, asserting that the move is necessary for the United States to “recover” and “heal”. His remarks were delivered in a Thanksgiving post, where he sharply criticised the Biden administration’s immigration policies and outlined sweeping measures aimed at restricting migration and removing non-citizens who, he says, do not contribute to the country.

Trump said he intends to reverse what he described as “illegal admissions”, end federal benefits for non-citizens, and strip citizenship from migrants who pose security concerns. He also reiterated plans to deport individuals he considers a “public charge” or “non-compatible with Western Civilization”.

The statement came shortly after two members of the National Guard were shot near the White House, an attack Trump called an “act of terror”.

One National Guard member dies after Washington shooting

Trump confirmed that Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, one of the two West Virginia National Guard soldiers shot near Farragut West Metro station on Wednesday, died of her injuries. The ambush occurred while Trump was in Florida.

The alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US in September 2021, according to enforcement officials.

‘Reverse migration’ needed, says Trump

In his post, Trump said his actions aim to significantly reduce “illegal and disruptive populations”, adding that only “reverse migration” can address the current situation. He accused the Biden administration of admitting migrants through an “unauthorized and illegal” approval process.

Concluding his message, he wished Americans a Happy Thanksgiving but added that those who “hate, steal, murder, and destroy” would “not be here for long”.

Attacks on foreign populations and Minnesota officials

Trump also targeted Somali refugees in Minnesota, alleging that gangs from the community are creating fear on the streets. He accused the Minnesota Governor of failing to address the situation due to “fear or incompetence”.

He further criticised Ilhan Omar, accusing her of complaining about the US despite her origins in a “crime ridden” nation.

Comments on America’s foreign-born population

Citing Census estimates, Trump claimed that the US foreign-born population stood at 53 million, alleging that “most are on welfare” or come from “failed nations” or criminal backgrounds. He said American citizens continue to support this population despite personal discomfort.

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Putin to visit India on December 4-5 for annual summit with PM Modi

Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he and PM Modi will review bilateral progress and discuss strategic issues.

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Vladimir Putin

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will travel to India on December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Moscow. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the visit comes on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the government, the two leaders will assess ongoing bilateral cooperation, set future goals for the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, and discuss key regional and global developments of mutual concern.

President Droupadi Murmu will receive Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan and host a banquet in his honour.

Talks expected to focus on bilateral progress

PM Modi and Putin are expected to review major areas of cooperation, including trade, investments, defence ties and energy engagements. India has remained one of the key buyers of Russian oil, despite global pressure and criticism.

The visit is also significant as India continues to balance ties with both Russia and the United States. New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Moscow earlier led to punitive tariffs imposed by the US.

Background of the visit

Putin’s India trip was first indicated in August during National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to Moscow. The dates were finalised later.

The two leaders last met informally in September during the SCO Summit in China, where they held discussions inside the Russian president’s limousine.

Earlier this month, PM Modi conveyed his greetings to Putin when Nikolai Patrushev, a senior Russian official, met him in Delhi.

Putin’s reduced foreign travel

The Russian president has made limited overseas trips since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict due to an International Criminal Court warrant. India is not a party to the ICC, and therefore, has no obligation to act on the warrant.

Bilateral ties remain strong

India and Russia share decades-old defence and economic cooperation. Moscow remains a major defence supplier to India, while New Delhi continues as an important buyer of Russian crude.

The summit is expected to reinforce this long-standing partnership.

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Where is Imran Khan? Sisters allege police assault amid rumours on jailed ex-PM’s condition

Imran Khan’s sisters have accused police of assaulting them during a peaceful attempt to meet the jailed former prime minister, as PTI alleges he remains in isolation without legal or family access.

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Three sisters of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan have alleged that they were manhandled by police outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after they gathered to seek a meeting with the jailed leader. Their claim comes at a time when rumours about Khan’s death in prison have been circulating on social media, prompting renewed concerns over his health and the restrictions placed on his visitors.

Sisters claim denial of meeting, allege “brutal” assault

Khan’s sisters — Noreen Khan, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan — said they were not permitted to meet him for over three weeks, despite repeated attempts. According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), their supporters were also present outside the jail when police allegedly used force to disperse them.

In a letter to Punjab police chief Usman Anwar, Noreen Niazi said the group had gathered peacefully without blocking traffic or engaging in unlawful activity. She claimed that streetlights were switched off before police personnel moved in and assaulted those present.
She alleged she was dragged by her hair, thrown to the ground and injured, while other women were slapped and pulled away from the site. The sisters demanded immediate action against the officials involved.

PTI alleges isolation of the former PM in jail

Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 in multiple cases, is currently held in isolation, the party claimed. PTI representatives said he is being denied access to books, essential items and even legal consultation. A lawyer from his legal team stated that meetings have been blocked for over a month, adding that even Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was denied permission despite several attempts.

Rumours of Khan’s death in custody, widely circulated online in recent days, have heightened concerns among supporters, prompting renewed demands for clarity on his well-being.

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