Indo-Canada slump: Can President Trump make a difference?

If Canada's ties with India are to be restored, we might just have to wait for another election - this time in Canada

- BHAVDEEP KANG

Can US President-elect Donald Trump help sweeten the soured ties between India and Canada? Judging by the recent violence in Brampton, the 'Brown Town' of the Greater Toronto Area, it's a tall order. Khalistani separatists, the major outstanding issue between the two countries, appear to wield extraordinary influence over the Canadian state.

The attack on the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton at the start of the official 'Hindu Heritage Month' can be at least partly attributed to Canada's fostering of radical elements, a flawed and counterproductive strategy that has inevitably led to turbulence. It has proved to be a major embarrassment for Canada, more so because an off-duty Toronto police sergeant participated in the violent anti-Hindu demonstration. The cop in question had attended pro-Khalistan events in the past, a former police sergeant has been quoted as saying. This implies that the erring official's bosses knew of his affiliations. He has now been suspended, but the incident has given credence to claims that Khalistan supporters have infiltrated the Canadian state.