‘Economic diplomacy apt to make Canada realise its blunder – advise Indians to avoid colleges there’: Punjab BJP chief – The Indian Express

In my view, Trudeau has also fallen victim to his domestic vulnerability in an election year. As he runs a minority government, he has tried to garner political mileage by pandering to a minuscule group.

It is also well-known that, over the years, Canada has turned into a safe haven for gangsters, criminals and secessionists. Time and again there have been instances of fundamentalist elements using Canada as a launchpad for their nefarious activities. Not only India, Bangladesh has also raised alarm about (this).

In wake of these atrocious and unfounded allegations by PM Trudeau, India has only reacted and responded in a firm manner by asking for proof, which I am sure Trudeau does not have. As a strong nation, India reserves the right to preserve our sovereignty, and we are fully capable. The Canadian PM should not have made these allegations in the first place if he did not have the proof. Going by recent statements of their Foreign Office, I am sure they have realised it too.

So, we have not stretched it too far but only responded to allegations made by PM Trudeau. The silver lining, though, is that there are backroom talks, and I sincerely hope that the matter is not escalated any further as lakhs of our students and families go to Canada every year. Any diplomatic escalation resulting in holding up of visas will jeopardise their study plans, and given the preference for Canada amongst our youth, this would further frustrate and alienate them…

There has to be a viable mechanism to develop facilities here so that our youth are not lured to foreign lands just for jobs. I would urge the state government here to also be more responsive to these concerns and try to find a long-term solution in coordination with the Centre. During Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit to Amritsar, I spoke on the issue with him as well.

IE: What would be your advice to youngsters headed to Canada?

Sunil Jakhar: In my view, economic diplomacy is an apt choice to make Canada realise its blunder – not just an advisory to young Indians who are keen to study abroad to avoid choosing Canadian colleges / universities, but also providing them easier study loans and government counselling to help them select credible educational institutions abroad.

The government of India should, in the meanwhile, revisit the denial of visa to persons of Indian origin as quickly as possible so as to ensure that secessionist elements don’t use this excuse to sow seeds of alienation among a section of society. Both India and Canada as mature democracies must tide over this situation for betterment of citizens of both the countries.

IE: What would you specifically say to the Punjabi community?

Sunil Jakhar: Our Punjabis living in Canada must use their clout to reject and call out this minuscule minority which believes in spreading hate against India using Canadian land as a safe refuge. Indian and, more especially, Punjabi diaspora has a strong presence in Canada and Punjabis have excelled in every field with the dint of their hard work and talent. Their status and stature in Canadian life and politics should galvanise furthering of amicable relations between India and Canada in the right direction.

Punjabis are amongst the most patriotic communities, with an unparalleled history of sacrifice for the nation. Punjab is amongst the most fertile lands in the country, feeding the entire nation. Our natural resources are our assets. In this backdrop, to see our youngsters going abroad in such big numbers is a matter of concern, and fuelled because of the failure of state governments. Sincere efforts must be made to stop Punjab’s brain drain, and the state and Centre must work collaboratively to evolve a long-term solution. We are losing talent and human resources and we must be vigilant and work towards ensuring that we stop this outflow by providing our youngsters the facilities they need to thrive.

IE: How do you see the ruling Aam Aadmi Party as a competitor to the BJP in Punjab?

Sunil Jakhar: The AAP is no challenge to the BJP as we stand on our achievements for the nation. The space vacated by the AAP as it loses face before the people of Punjab is being filled by the trust the people have in the BJP’s ability to give a decisive administration. We are working hard and we will keep exposing the AAP’s true face…

The AAP is a challenge to itself… No party has exploded and imploded in a similar fashion. Its meteoric rise has been matched by an equally spectacular fall… And it was expected.

The very premise of their existence as a political outfit is deception and distraction from public concerns and issues. The mask is fast unravelling and Punjabis have seen the true side of their character.

IE: What is the Punjab BJP’s stand on the Satluj-Yamuna Link? Your party’s government in Haryana is demanding that the incomplete link in Punjab be finished.

Sunil Jakhar: On SYL, the BJP’s stand is clear, and in line with Punjab’s principled stand, that the state does not have even a drop of water to share. Punjab does not have surplus water and is suffering acute shortage of surface water and overexploitation of groundwater because of transfer of its river waters to non-basin and non-riparian states. It is not only against the provisions of the Constitution but also the principles of natural justice. The BJP is ready for any sacrifice to preserve Punjab’s waters. No one would be allowed to tinker with our natural resources.

IE: The tension between AAP Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit shows no sign of abating.

Sunil Jakhar: The Punjab CM’s deliberate ploy to vitiate relationship with the Punjab Governor is only to distract people’s minds from core issues. They do this in Delhi too (where the AAP has a government), but people there have seen through these gimmicks.

Governor Sahab only asked the right questions, which in normal course must be answered by the state government. What could be resolved over a cup of tea is being raised as a storm by this AAP government, so that they can use this as an excuse for their failure to work on any front. My worry is that the Governor Sahab is falling into their trap by responding to them publicly.

IE: CM Mann has called for a public debate on SYL on November 1? Are you ready for it?

Sunil Jakhar: I know very well that nothing worthwhile will come out of the November 1 debate as the CM is using it as another gimmick. But someone has to call his bluff, and that is why I have accepted this challenge. I will expose their (the AAP’s) true face, and will not let the CM run away from facts. The CM will have to face the people and explain.