Chandra Arya Disqualified Over India Ties

Chandra Arya, an Indian-origin Member of Parliament, has been barred by the Canada — Liberal Party of Canada from running for party leadership and his nomination for re-election in his Ottawa Nepean constituency. This decision stems from allegations of his close ties to the government of India, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a trip to India last August, which he reportedly did not disclose to the Canadian government. The Canada — Canadian Security Intelligence Service briefed the government and Canada — Liberal Party of Canada officials about these alleged ties. Chandra Arya has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that his removal is due to his outspoken opposition to the Sikh Khalistani movement in Canada. This event unfolds against a backdrop of severely strained relations between Canada and India, following Justin Trudeau's 2023 accusation that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Puri, an allegation India has rejected.