Impact of tension in Indo-Canadian relations on Khushwant Singh Litfest

Kasauli: The long-standing diplomatic tension in India-Canadian relations has impacted the 12th edition of the Khushwant Singh Sahitya Mahotsav, in which former head of the Research and Analysis Wing, A.S. Dulat and former Canadian Prime Minister Ujjal Dosanjh expressed grave concern over the situation.

However, the two mainly discussed their books – Dosanjh’s ‘The Ties That Divide Us’ and Dulat’s ‘A Life in the Shadows’. The discussion at their sessions in this picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh turned to the pertinent diplomatic spat that is raging between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and allegations of a possible link between agents of the Indian government.

Dosanjh, who is the premier of British Columbia, suggested that both the Indian and Canadian governments should talk to resolve the ongoing crisis in the interest of the common people. He also suggested India to relax visa restrictions in view of the festive season.

In a conversation with Kim Lali on the subject, Dosanjh acknowledged that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may have taken the step of holding Indian agencies responsible for the killing of Khalistan activist Nijjar for some reasons, but relations between the countries should not be so strained. Were.

Talking about his book, Dosanjh described his journey from a remote village in Punjab to Canada in his early twenties. He said that since he embraces both the cultures, he sincerely wants India-Canadian relations to normalize as soon as possible. (IANS)