Western capitals have chosen to ignore ominous face of India: PM Kakar

NEW YORK: Pakistan criticized Western nations on Friday for what it called their failure to acknowledge the “reality” of New Delhi’s right-wing leadership, following allegations by Canada of Indian involvement in a killing.

Canada recently expelled an Indian diplomat, leading to a reciprocal expulsion, after concluding that Indian agents were involved in the June killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar near Vancouver.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar linked this episode to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ideology of Hindu nationalism, or Hindutva.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York during his participation in the UN General Assembly, Kakar remarked, “These ideologues of Hindutva are becoming increasingly emboldened, and their influence is extending beyond the region.”

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He characterized the “unfortunate killing of Mr. Singh on Canadian soil as a reflection of this ominous trend.” Kakar also expressed disappointment, stating, “Many players in Western capitals have chosen to ignore this fact and reality, likely due to economic and strategic considerations.”

For years, Western powers, led by the United States, have sought closer ties with India, viewing it as a natural ally, particularly in light of mounting concerns about China. Prime Minister Modi recently highlighted India’s global role as he chaired the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi. However, his promotion of Hindu identity in the diverse nation has drawn criticism from rights groups, who accuse him of fostering a hostile environment for religious minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was wanted by India for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder, advocated for the creation of a separate Sikh state known as Khalistan. India has long alleged that Pakistan has provided support to the Khalistan movement, which conducted an insurgency in the 1980s that was suppressed by Indian security forces.