Canada, India and the slaying of a Sikh activist

What does the slaying of a Sikh activist — and Canadian citizen — on Canadian soil have to do with China?

A lot, actually, in terms of geopolitical efforts to counter growing Chinese power. Saira Bano explains how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation of Indian involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh independence advocate, may complicate western efforts to bring China to heel.

Canada and its allies have been building closer ties with India, she writes, in an effort to counter-balance China’s growing economic and political power. While the US, the UK and France, among other allies, aren’t expected to join Canada’s stand against India, Bano argues the dispute raises serious concerns about Narendra Modi’s authoritarian tendencies that must not be ignored by the West.

For her part Stuti Bhatnagar unpacks the complex history of the Khalistan movement and its campaign for a separate Sikh state in India.

Lee-Anne Goodman

Politics Editor

Justin Trudeau’s India accusation complicates western efforts to rein in China

Saira Bano, Thompson Rivers University

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India was involved in the murder of a Canadian citizen complicates efforts by Canada and its allies to woo India to counter-balance Chinese might.

Explainer: what is the Khalistan movement sparking a diplomatic feud between India and Canada?

Stuti Bhatnagar, Australian National University

India has long accused Canada of giving safe haven to separatists seeking a Sikh homeland in Punjab state – an accusation the Trudeau government denies.

The Federal Reserve held off hiking interest rates – it may still be too early to start popping the corks

D. Brian Blank, Mississippi State University

News of a soft landing may be premature.
AU and G20: membership will give Africa more say on global issues – if it speaks with one voice

Ulf Engel, University of Leipzig

The African Union’s membership in the G20 is an important complement to existing strategic partnerships.
Morocco’s earthquake and Libya’s floods highlight obstacles to relief efforts, from botched disaster diplomacy to destroyed infrastructure

William Lawrence, American University

With Morocco, there’s stronger bureaucracy, and in Libya, authorities are weaker. But, as a scholar who has worked in both countries explains, the results are the same: not enough aid getting through.
Ransom or realism? A closer look at Biden’s prisoner swap deal with Iran

Klaus W. Larres, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The hostage swap between the U.S. and Iran may be an important step in a new nuclear deal between the West and Iran.
Racial trauma has profound mental health consequence - a Black clinical psychologist explains and offers 5 ways to heal

Char Newton, University of North Dakota

Whether experienced directly or indirectly, racial incidents can trigger numerous psychological impacts on Black people, including lower self-esteem and anxiety.
Russell Brand: how the comedy industry uses humour to abuse and silence women

Ellie Tomsett, Birmingham City University

I’ve researched women’s experience of the UK comedy circuit for ten years – this is what I’ve learned.

Somalia’s voice of hope: a tribute to Axmed Naaji, legendary singer and trailblazing composer

Mohamed Haji Ingiriis, King's College London

For six decades he was a household name in urban Somalia.