Canadian PM Justin Trudeau celebrates Diwali, visits Hindu temples amid escalating India-Canada row

Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared clips of his Diwali celebrations on Sunday.

“Happy Diwali! So many special moments shared celebrating with the community this week,” he said in a post on X.

Trudeau also showed religious threads on his wrist and said that he had visited three Hindu temples in Canada in the past few months.

“I got these bracelets when I was in three different Hindu temples over the past few months. They are good luck,” he said, adding that the threads would give him “protection”.

“I’m not taking them off till they fall off,” he added.

In the video, Trudeau can be seen celebrating Diwali with the Indian community, tying religious threads on his wrists. He was also offered a plate of jalebis, which he said he would “save for the team”.

Earlier, the Canadian Prime Minister had extended Diwali greetings to the people on October 31.

“Diwali in Canada would not be possible without our incredible Indo-Canadian community. Indo-Canadians represent the best of Canada – as artists and entrepreneurs, as doctors and teachers, as leaders in business, community, and culture,” Trudeau said in the statement.

“On Diwali, we celebrate them and the light they carry across Canada’s communities,” he added.

Trudeau further said in the statement that Diwali is important to Hindu Canadians and added that they are one of Canada’s largest and most diverse diasporas.

He also said that Canada “will always stand” with Hindu Canadians “to ensure their safety and security so they can freely and proudly practise their religion”.

The ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada began last month with the Canadian government’s statement that the Indian diplomats in Ottawa were the ‘persons of interest’ in its probe into Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in September 2023.

After Nijjar’s killing, Trudeau claimed that certain Indian agents were involved in the murder, a charge vehemently refuted by the Indian government.

Canada’s statement led India to recall its High Commissioner in Ottawa and other targeted diplomats last month. The Canadian government then expelled the six diplomats, prompting India to reciprocate the move.

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