India supports efforts aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict as it believes in finding a way forward through diplomacy and dialogue, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Friday against the backdrop of the Brics grouping backing mediation proposals.

A joint statement issued after a meeting of foreign ministers of Brics (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) member states in Cape Town said they had “noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices” aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Asked at a weekly news briefing if the joint statement amounted to an endorsement of a so-called peace plan proposed by China, Bagchi said: “I would not be sure whether to characterise the peace plan you have referred to as a mediation effort or not.”

India, he said, has always supported mediation efforts and the “idea of finding a way forward through diplomacy and dialogue”. He added, “Any mediation effort that works in that direction would be welcome.”

The Brics foreign ministers recalled their national positions on the “situation in and around Ukraine” as expressed at international forums such as the UN Security Council and General Assembly and called for the “full and effective implementation” of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the UN Secretariat on promoting Russian food products and fertilisers to world markets.

The ministers further stressed the “importance of allowing grains and fertilisers to continue to reach those most in need”, according to the joint statement.

Besides calling for reforms of the principal organs of the UN, including the Security Council, so that they can better respond to global challenges, the joint statement said China and Russia reiterated the importance of the role of Brazil, India and South Africa in global affairs and their aspiration to play a greater role in the UN.

At a time when the G7 has sought to raise Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the G20, the Brics foreign ministers emphasised the importance of the grouping of 20 largest economies acting as the premier multilateral forum for economic cooperation and jointly seeking solutions to global challenges.

The foreign ministers also strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and said the Brics states are committed to combating cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing networks and safe havens.

“They also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach of the whole international community to effectively curb the terrorist activities, which pose a serious threat...The ministers rejected double standards in countering terrorism and extremism conducive to terrorism,” the joint statement said.

Source: Hindustan Times

The Russian government has allowed the country's banks and financial institutions to transact in Russian currency.

This information was reported on the official Facebook page of the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on Saturday (September 23).

According to the information given on the Facebook page, Russia has allowed 30 other countries to trade in ruble currency except Bangladesh. The countries are - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Bahrain.

Also included are Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Qatar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Oman and Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Korea, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam are also allowed to trade in ruble. However, Argentina, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico and Moldova have been excluded from the list.

Recently, before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said that the discussions on commercial transactions in the country's single currency have been going on for quite some time.

The Sinister Shadow of Nijjar

At 46, Nijjar wasn’t just a member of the local Sikh community; he was a terror mastermind with deep roots in Khalistani extremism. A fugitive from India, Nijjar had been prominently linked to multiple terrorist organizations. As the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), his hands were stained with the plotting of the Hindu priest’s assassination. He also associated himself with the Sikhs For Justice, another notorious extremist group, orchestrating anti-India activities. His social media pages? A veritable library of sedition, hatred, and attempts to ignite communal discord.

Nijjar’s terror lineage is not just a smattering of isolated events; it’s a chronology of grave acts of violence that have left an indelible mark. The 2007 bomb blast at Shingar cinema in Ludhiana? Orchestrated by him. The cold-blooded assassination of Rashtriya Singh Sangat’s President, Rulda Singh, in 2009? His doing. A conspiracy to eliminate Hindu priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Jalandhar, the explosion at the Satya Narayan temple in Patiala in 2010, and the plotting of the assassination of spiritual leader Piara Singh Bhaniara – all bore the unmistakable touch of Nijjar’s terror designs. Even as recently as 2015-16, he directed Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal to target Shiv Sena leaders.

And the global community took note: on 01 July 2020, a red corner notice was issued against him, designating him as an ‘Individual terrorist’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This was not merely a rogue individual but a calculated menace with a track record to match.

Canada’s Troublesome Liaison

For years, Nijjar had spun a web of lies to evade Canadian immigration authorities. Portraying himself as a victim of police torture, he used fabricated letters and even staged a sham marriage to stake his claim to residency in Canada. Although his stories were often rejected, he still managed to operate under the Canadian radar, even identifying himself as a citizen.

Prime Minister Trudeau’s acknowledgment of Nijjar as a Canadian citizen in his recent statements, therefore, stands as an unsettling testament to Canada’s potential complicity in sheltering extremists. While Canada has a proud tradition of supporting human rights and providing refuge to those in need, harbouring individuals with clear extremist ideologies is a different ball game.

Embracing such individuals doesn’t just imperil Canada’s national security. It sends out a stark message to the global community: that Canada might be becoming a safe haven for those with extremist views. In trying to appease a select few, Trudeau risks compromising Canada’s standing on the global stage. The lack of support from G7 allies, evident by their refusal to issue joint statements against India, underscores this sentiment.

Safeguarding Canada’s National Integrity

It is an age-old principle that harbouring a snake can endanger the one providing shelter. With Nijjar’s extensive violent background and the current geopolitical scenario, Trudeau’s allegations against India without substantial evidence run the risk of painting Canada in a precarious light.

Canada, known for its majestic landscapes, multicultural ethos, and global diplomacy, should remain a beacon of hope, not a refuge for extremism. It’s high time the Canadian leadership differentiates between genuine asylum seekers and those with sinister motives. After all, the safety and reputation of a nation should never be traded for political appeasement.

UK Member of Parliament (MP) Theresa Villiers on Monday spoke about the success of India’s recently concluded G20 Summit and the need for stronger ties between the UK and India.

The MP also spoke about the rising Chinese interference in UK politics and the need for counter balance of the Global South.

She was speaking at the 'Indo-Pacific dialogue: Jammu Kashmir 2019 and beyond event' held by the Indo-Pacific All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the UK Parliament.

The event’s keynote speakers included Georgetown University Professor Christine Fair, an affiliate of the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Burzine Waghmar.

The event was attended by a number of parliamentarians including MP and host Bob Blackman and Theresa Villiers.

MP Burzine Waghmar spoke about Pakistan's illegal occupation of a part of Kashmir (POK) and he also emphasised the inclusion of the African Union into the G20. Baghmar highlighted that India has shown leadership as a leading democracy by facilitating the inclusion of the African Union in G20, unlike China which uses Africa only for its commercial and defense needs.

MP Bob Blackman spoke about the need for deeper cooperation between UK and India. He also congratulated Modi for a successful G20. He also referred to the need of tackling extremist fringe Khalistani elements working closely between two governments.

“It was great to sponsor the #JammuAndKashmir Beyond 2019 event in Parliament yesterday in collaboration with @APPGIndoPacific,” Blackman wrote on ‘X’ formerly Twitter on Tuesday.
Christine Fair's talk was about Pakistan's interference in Jammu & Kashmir.

The event was attended by community members and students from various universities in the UK.

The G20 summit had reached a successful conclusion in Delhi on September 10, featuring numerous prominent global leaders who also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines. The summit led to the consolidation of a comprehensive framework with the objective of fostering enhanced collaboration among the G20 member nations, the European Union, and the recently incorporated African Union. (ANI)

The Indian World Forum (IWF) on Wednesday strongly condemned the actions of unlawful organisations, including Sikhs for Justice, for their disturbing activities targeting the Indian diaspora in Canada. In a press release, the IWF highlighted the significant economic and social contributions of the Indian diaspora to Canadian society, emphasising that individuals from various religious backgrounds, including Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, have played a vital role in the progress of Canada.

The press release drew attention to the repeated targeting of the Indian diaspora and their places of worship in Canada. It also pointed out the alarming trend of unlawful organisations attempting to target Indian diplomatic missions and personnel not only in Canada but also in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America (USA). These activities have raised concerns for the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora.

Call for Canadian government action

The Indian World Forum has urged the Government of Canada to take serious action against nefarious elements, specifically mentioning individuals such as Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, both of whom have been designated as terrorists by India. The IWF stated the importance of preventing any actions that could endanger the Indian diaspora and their investments in Canada, as such actions would violate the sanctity of the UN Charter and its conventions.

The IWF also highlighted the warm welcome extended to Canadian brethren in India and highlighted the cultural commitment to the well-being of the Canadian diaspora in India.

Diplomatic standoff between India and Canada

Tensions between Canada and India have reached new heights with dueling diplomatic expulsions and an allegation made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the Indian government over involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan separatist on Canadian soil. India has repeatedly accused Canada of supporting the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India and has dwindling support among the Sikh diaspora.

On Monday, Trudeau in Parliament described what he called credible allegations that India was connected to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. The Indian government denied any hand in Nijjar’s killing while also saying Canada was trying to shift the focus from Khalistan activists there.