Who is Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh? An ally of Trudeau & a staunch Khalistan supporter

Indian-origin Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Jagmeet Singh is under the spotlight for his consistent support of Khalistani separatist elements in Canada. Despite ongoing tensions between India and Canada, Singh has pledged to seek justice for pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, further straining diplomatic relations.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), has a history of aligning himself with Khalistani separatists. He has openly supported figures like Waris Punjab De Chief Amritpal Singh and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who are known to have been involved in Khalistani activities.

On Monday, Singh reacted to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in Nijjar's killing in Surrey, Canada, by vowing to pursue justice for the pro-Khalistan terrorist. Singh tweeted, "Today we learned of allegations that agents of the Indian Government murdered Hardeep Singh Nijjar - a Canadian killed on Canadian soil."

A closer look at Jagmeet Singh

Jagmeet Singh, born on January 2, 1979, to Harmeet Kaur and Jagtaran Dhaliwal, has his roots in India. Before entering politics, he practiced as a criminal defence lawyer in the Greater Toronto Area. His political journey began when he contested the 2011 Ontario provincial election as an NDP candidate and emerged victorious. Singh continued his political career, winning the Ontario provincial polls in 2014 and later becoming a prominent figure in the NDP.

In the 2019 Burnaby South by-election, Jagmeet Singh secured his position and was re-elected to the Burnaby South riding. The NDP's alliance with the Liberal Party of Canada allowed them to hold influence despite having a smaller number of seats. 

Jagmeet Singh has faced criticism and controversy for his perceived sympathies toward Khalistani causes. He has consistently expressed concerns about the treatment of individuals associated with the Khalistani movement, raising questions about his stance on the issue. His support for Khalistani figures like Amritpal Singh and Hardeep Singh Nijjar has raised eyebrows both in Canada and internationally.

On Wednesday, he took to X (Twitter) to say that he had written "directly to the commissioner in charge of the public inquiry into foreign interference to include an examination of India's foreign interference in Canada in the work of the inquiry." "I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of all Canadians," he wrote.

I've written directly to the commissioner in charge of the public inquiry into foreign interference to include an examination of India's foreign interference in Canada in the work of the inquiry.

I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of all Canadians. pic.twitter.com/HdA9NGXT4f

— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 19, 2023

Trudeau's political alliance with Jagmeet Singh & vote bank politics

In March 2022,  Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party forged an alliance with the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh. 

The collaboration between these two political forces raised eyebrows due to its peculiar nature. The terms of the agreement stipulated that the NDP would remain political rivals to the Liberal Party, continuously challenging them but refraining from toppling the government through a vote of no-confidence. In essence, the NDP agreed not to initiate a vote of no-confidence against the government and pledged to support it in the event that such a motion was introduced by any other party.

However, beneath this formal agreement, there existed an unspoken understanding brokered by Jagmeet Singh. On matters concerning the Indian diaspora, particularly the Khalistani issue, Trudeau would find himself walking a fine line to ensure unwavering support from the NDP.

So, when Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on June 18, 2023, the NDP urged the Trudeau administration to expedite the investigation into his murder. On the streets, Khalistani supporters, backed by the NDP, amplified accusations against an Indian diplomat.

Following Trudeau's Monday speech in Parliament, Jagmeet Singh, representing the NDP, also spoke out. He remarked, "To hear the Prime Minister of Canada corroborating a potential link in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil by a foreign government is something I could have never imagined."

While Justin Trudeau may engage in a political balancing act with the Indian government, he cannot afford the same flexibility on his home turf. After all, Canada is home to nearly eight lakh Sikhs, and his political survival hinges on figures like Jagmeet Singh. Among the 17 MPs of Punjabi origin in Canada, Jagmeet is not only the most influential but also the most potent political force. Consequently, Trudeau must cater to the preferences and inclinations of leaders like Jagmeet Singh.

Trudeau's claims and the diplomatic fallout

The ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada escalated when Prime Minister Trudeau claimed that Canada had "credible allegations" linking the Indian government to Nijjar's death. In the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau's Liberal Party, with 158 members, secured its government formation with the support of 25 members from Jagmeet Singh's NDP.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, based in Canada, was designated a 'terrorist' by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in India had also targeted his property in September 2020. Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him in 2016.

In recent months, bilateral relations between India and Canada have become strained due to the resurgence of Khalistani extremism in Canada, with India expressing dissatisfaction over the Canadian government's handling of the issue.