Chandigarh, February 19, 2018: Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau and Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh must meet in the larger interest of Punjab and Punjabi Diaspora settled in Canada. It’s quite appreciable as reported in the media, that Mr. Harjit Singh Sajjan, Canadian defense Minister, is still trying to work out possibilities for a meeting between the two, despite the inappropriate demeanor of Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and cold-shoulder treatment meted out to him during his recent visit to Punjab. It is regrettable that the obstinate arrogance of Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, for his personal reasons, is causing embarrassment to Punjab and Punjabi Diaspora across the world. The stonewalling of positive breakthrough in the matter so far seems to be lack of timely initiative and preferred eagerness on the part of the Chief Minister’s office, which is seemingly in complete disarray at present.
It was indeed a timely, overt and positive gesture of the Highly Valued cabinet colleagues of the Canadian Prime Minister, while making a joint public declaration and stating categorically that they have no sympathy whatsoever with the Khalistanis or the Khalistan separatist movement. Rightfully this called for a reciprocal gesture from Capt. Amarinder Singh, as Punjab Chief Minister, appreciating their view point and also requesting them to impress upon the visiting Canadian Prime Minister to accept his formal request for a meeting, if one was intended. Being completely aware of the obstinate behavior of Capt. Amarinder Singh towards Trudeau administration, it was certainly not wise for the Canadian High Commissioner in India to solicit a meeting from the Punjab Chief Minister for the Canadian Delegation led by none less than the Prime Minister himself. After all, Nation States have their own dignity and diplomatic decorum. It was for Capt. Amrinder Singh who should have walked some extra miles leaving aside his hubristic ego in order to abridge the disrupted links. I strongly wish and pray that the sincere efforts of Mr. Harjit Singh Sajjan bears fruit and wisdom prevails, let bygones be treated as they are and eventually a meeting takes place for betterment of Punjab.