Amid the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, parents of Indian students studying in Canada express concerns about their children's safety and potential discrimination. They fear that the standoff may expose their children to security risks and bias based on nationality. Some students planning to study in Canada are anxious about the suspension of visa services. Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar and Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu have called for helplines and interventions to ensure the well-being of Indian students and residents in Canada. The dispute emerged after Canada accused Indian government agents of involvement in a shooting, which India rejected as "absurd." [Image: The Globe and Mail]

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the persistence of "double standards" in the world, with influential countries resisting pressure for change. Speaking at a Ministerial Session, Jaishankar emphasized that political pressure, rather than political will, is driving the need for change. He noted resistance from those in influential positions, especially in the UN Security Council. He stressed the importance of cultural rebalancing, respecting diversity, and acknowledging other traditions. Jaishankar mentioned India's G20 Presidency and its potential to initiate reforms in international financial institutions. The event also featured discussions on pressing global issues like debt, SDGs, climate action, digital access, nutrition, and gender.

The world's largest Hindu temple outside India, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey, is set to be inaugurated on October 8. Spanning over 183 acres, the temple was built over 12 years by more than 12,500 volunteers. It measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and features design elements from ancient Indian culture, including 10,000 statues, carvings of musical instruments, and dance forms. The temple is possibly the second largest in the world after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. It was envisioned as a place for all people to learn universal values based in Hindu tradition.

India's athletes delivered outstanding performances at the Asian Games, clinching several medals. Silver medals were secured in Shooting (Women's 10m Air Rifle - Team), Rowing (Men's Lightweight Double Sculls, Men's Eight), while Bronze medals were earned in Shooting (Women's 10m Air Rifle) and Rowing (Men's Pair). The women's cricket team also excelled, defeating Bangladesh to reach the final. In men's hockey, India showcased dominance with a remarkable 16-0 win against Uzbekistan. Despite some challenges, including losses in women's football, volleyball, and rugby sevens, India's overall performance was commendable at the Games.

  In their Asian Games 2023 men's hockey opener against Uzbekistan, India dominated with a resounding 16-0 victory, despite the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Singh. India took an early lead with goals from Lalit and Varun in the first quarter. They continued to extend their lead with goals from Abhishek, Mandeep, Sukhjeet, and others, ultimately reaching a 12-0 lead by the end of the third quarter. Varun and Lalit each scored their fourth goal in the final quarter, sealing India's remarkable 16-0 win. India aims for a direct berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a gold medal in the Asian Games.

  During his Mann ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe corridor as a future cornerstone of global trade, drawing a parallel with the historic Silk Route. He mentioned that India proposed this economic corridor at the G20 Summit, asserting India's leadership on the world stage. Modi expressed pride in India's achievements, including the Chandrayaan-3 mission and its role in making the African Union a G20 member. He emphasized tourism's role in generating employment and noted India's rising global goodwill. With Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary approaching, he encouraged participation in cleanliness programs and supporting local products.

  The Biden administration is inclined to avoid involvement in the diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, aiming to preserve its positive relationship with PM Narendra Modi's government. Charles Myers, Signum Global Advisors' Chairman and a Democratic Party donor, believes the U.S. won't heavily intervene as it seeks to collaborate with India in countering China. Tensions between Canada and India arose from the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with Trudeau linking the Indian government to the crime. While U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged cooperation in the investigation, no retaliatory measures like expelling Indian diplomats have been taken. The U.S. intends to steer clear of the issue.

The US provided intelligence to Canada following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, intercepted communications by Canadian officials led to Ottawa's accusation of India's involvement in the plot. The allegations have strained India-Canada relations, with India rejecting them as "absurd" and expelling a Canadian diplomat in retaliation. The US urged India to cooperate with Canada's investigations but emphasized they had no advance information about the plot. While US officials have tried to avoid diplomatic backlash from India, the disclosure of US intelligence involvement risks complicating relations between Canada and India, as the US seeks closer ties with New Delhi.

In Canada, there has been a surge in Hinduphobic activities, including vandalism of temples and anti-India propaganda linked to the Khalistan Referendum movement. Notably, no arrests have been made in connection with these incidents. Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya highlighted the fear among Hindu Canadians, particularly due to a video from the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) urging Hindus to leave the country. Several politicians, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, have condemned the video. A petition to recognize Hinduphobia in the Human Rights Code has gained momentum. The killing of SFJ figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada remains under investigation.

According to an intelligence dossier accessed by NDTV, murdered Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was involved in crime since the 1980s. Nijjar, who fled to Canada in 1996, allegedly travelled to Pakistan for arms training and ordered killings in Punjab while in Canada. The dossier states Nijjar planned a terror attack on Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters and tasked gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill to carry out murders of father-son duo Manohar Lal Arora and Jatinderbir Singh Arora in 2020. Nijjar built a terror ecosystem in Punjab from Canada before being gunned down outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau claimed "Indian agents" were behind the killing, igniting a diplomatic row.