Canada's accusations against India are a challenge to our sovereignty

Gandhian values are the antithesis of a nation's sovereignty and security where deceit, bribery, and murders are passé

- OLAV ALBUQUERQUE

Terrorists and secessionists who aim to dismember India forfeit their right to life under Article 21 when they kill Indian citizens to vivisect this country. With a few exceptions, international law does not recognise secessionism which is why India is not accountable to any country for its actions to preserve its sovereignty or territorial integrity.

Sovereignty is explicitly mentioned in the preamble to the Indian Constitution. It means India is neither dependent nor accountable to Canada or the U.S., U.K., and New Zealand for its alleged actions. Of course, sovereignty does not confer any right on India to bump off terrorists like Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, 2023, outside the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, as Trudeau has accused India of doing. But then, Canada is flouting international law by harbouring on its soil terrorists like Nijjar who face the death sentence in India.

With Justin Trudeau accusing the Indian government of using the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to murder, extort and intimidate certain Canadian citizens, who finance or engage in secessionist activities in India, fascinating questions of international law arise. Can one sovereign nation prosecute another sovereign nation for alleged crimes? If yes, who is to be prosecuted on behalf of that other sovereign nation? Can it be a prime minister or President? The answer would be a resounding “no” which gives rise to further questions.