Indo-Canadian relations were disrupted after Canada alleged that Indian intelligence assassinated a Sikh terrorist in Canada. Prof. Rohan Gunaratna wrote the foreword to Stewart Bell’s ‘Cold Terror: How Canada Nurtures and Exports Terrorism Around the World.’ India’s largest-selling English news magazine Weekly interviewed Prof. Gunaratna on Canada offering sanctuary for terrorists. Contrary to what the Indian media expected, Prof. Gunaratna said Canada and India should start to work together to deny sanctuary to terrorists and their supporters.

As a specialist in global security affairs, Prof. Rohan Gunaratna believes that international security and intelligence services should shift from counter-terrorism cooperation to collaboration. The key is to build common databases, exchange personnel, conduct joint training and operations….” says Gunaratna, who has authored more than 30 Books, including Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community (2023). At a time when India and Canada are at loggerheads over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force, his advice for countries is to resolve their differences behind the scenes, rather than fight.

Excerpts:

Q: How has Canada earned the tag of an immigrant country?

A. Canada is the world’s most favoured country for migrants…. Immigrants compensate for the labour shortage, an ageing population and a declining birth rate. They make up more than one-fifth of the Canadian population―more than 8 million of the 36 million Canadians―and non-permanent residents add almost another million. As per the 2021 census, more than half (4.3 million) had migrated from Asia, with India, the Philippines and China leading the way. About two million migrated from Europe, a million from North and South America and more than eight lakhs from Africa (led by Morocco, Nigeria and Algeria). The recent immigrant population of over 1.3 million people shows a trend towards more immigrants of Asian and African descent. The immigration from the Americas, Europe and Oceania is on the decline.

Q: There are concerns over inimical elements from various countries entering Canada over the years.

A. Canada hosts people from around the world, including from conflict regions. The migrants mostly live in ethnic and religious enclaves. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has steadfastly expanded immigration, which has enhanced his popularity and electability. Under Trudeau, immigration has increased to four lakh new residents per year, and Canada plans to welcome five lakh permanent residents each year by 2025. About 40,000 asylum seekers entered Canada through irregular border crossings from the US alone in 2022. Like all governments, Canada is screening all the applicants. However, due to the sheer volume of applicants, a few thousand former terrorists and criminals have infiltrated. The Canadian intelligence and law enforcement agencies need to work in close collaboration with foreign counterparts to prevent acts of terrorism and crime.

Q: What are Sri Lanka’s concerns over LTTE activities on Canadian soil?

A. The LTTE clandestinely raised funds in Canada and procured weapons from the US, Ukraine and North Korea, which were then used to bomb the Central Bank in Colombo in 1996. The bombing killed 91 people and injured 1,400 people…. It is not too late to trace and prosecute the masterminds and fundraisers, but Canada and Sri Lanka should work together on this case to send a clear message that terrorism will not be tolerated. The largest Sri Lankan population outside the island is in Canada. The Sri Lankan Tamil community migrated to Canada in three stages: before, during and after the war. Most migrants have become Canadian citizens and they lead respectable lives. A few hundred are supporting the LTTE in an attempt to revive the group. Over the years, the Sri Lankan government has been working closely with Canada. Despite some issues, it is vital for Colombo and Ottawa to maintain cordial relations.

Q: The 9/11 terror attack was a wake-up call for the United States. Do you think all countries need to recognise terrorism as a global threat?

A. The 9/11 attack by Al-Qaeda on US soil demonstrated that terrorists can operate across borders and strike their enemies at will. The US mounted operations overseas to find, fix and finish their enemies. After 9/11, the US also created a new architecture to protect its homeland. Otherwise, the US would have suffered gravely. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security spent billions of dollars to create fusion centres and shared intelligence [with other countries]. Unless governments learn and adapt to the new and emerging threats, their countries will continue to suffer.

Q: What is the way forward?

A. With the global reach of threat groups increasing, international security and intelligence services should shift from counter-terrorism cooperation to collaboration. The key is to build common databases, exchange personnel, conduct joint training and operations, and share information, resources, experience and expertise. Rather than fight, they should resolve their differences behind the scenes.

(The Weekly)

By Namrata Biji Ahuja