New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Ajay Bisaria, highlighted the influence of Khalistani elements within Canadian politics, calling it a 'disproportionate capture' by a vocal and strategically active anti-India group.

Speaking ahead of Canada's April 28 elections, Bisaria said that although these groups have been around for over 40 years, they are unlikely to play a significant role in determining the election's outcome.

In an interview with ANI, Bisaria said, 'There is a certain capture, a disproportionate capture by a very smart and active anti-India Khalistani group. But this is a structural reality in Canadian politics for four decades. We have seen this in operation for a while, and these folks have a certain capture, but this election is not about them. I mean, they will not be a major determinant of the fate of the April 28 elections because I would argue that this election is about Trump...'

Bisaria further expressed hope for improved India-Canada relations, including the exchange of high commissioners and progress on a trade agreement, calling this a time to 'stabilise and normalise' ties.

'The broader point I am making is that we are at an inflection point and if Canada is talking in its national interest and not in the interest of a small vocal minority, which is smart at capturing parts of the polity, I would say that after the election, we still have good prospects to build this relationship, exchanging high commissioners possibly, even signing a trade agreement. I would argue that this is a time to stabilise the relationship and normalise it, not withstanding this 40-year problem of vocal Khalistanis trying queer the pitch.'

Meanwhile, Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has raised concerns over targeted vandalism in British Columbia, alleging that the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti for the third time on Sunday night.

Bordman, who visited the site, described what he saw and voiced concern over how the situation was handled.

'I saw when I got there that the vandalism had already been covered up, there were still some broken glasses... There were videos taken in the morning saying Khalistan was behind it. You saw a lot of Khalistan graffiti... I spoke with some of the devotees and management. I don't quite understand why they decided to just remove graffiti before the Police came... they did claim that vandals also stole the security camera... several devotees were quite upset... That wasn't the only temple that was vandalised last night, there was also a Gurdwara in Vancouver which was vandalised by Khalistanis,' Bordman said in a video posted on X. (ANI)