Trudeau’s visit: Canadian HC cancels dinner invite to a convicted Khalistani terrorist

Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel has cancelled Thursday’s dinner invitation to Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Khalistani terrorist.

Patel was hosting the dinner for the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation.

“The High Commission has rescinded Mr Atwal’s invitation. We do not comment on matters relating to the PM’s security,” the Canadian High Commission here said.

Atwal was convicted of trying to kill the then Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver in 1986.

Atwal, along with three of his accomplices, was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for carrying out the assassination. Atwal was back then associated with the International Sikhs Youth Federation (ISYF), which was behind the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985. India declared the ISYF as a terrorist outfit, and it is also banned by the Canada, the United States and United Kingdom.

Atwal is believed to be active in Canada’s provincial politics. He has been pictured with Trudeau on several occasions in the past. During the Canadian leader’s visit to Mumbai on Feb 20, Atwal was photographed with Trudeau’s wife Sophie and country’s Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi.

The cancellation comes at a time when Trudeau’s alleged pro-Khalistan approach is being criticised by many, including Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, who raised the issue with the Canadian Prime Minister during a meeting.

On his part, Trudeau assured Singh that his country did not support separatism in India or elsewhere. The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has also denied claims that Atwal was part of Trudeau’s delegation visiting India.

(with PTI inputs)