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Canada’s top ranked university “continues to be a safe and welcoming space” for Indian students, its vice-chancellor has said even as he sought to downplay the ongoing diplomatic tension between the two countries as “moments that happen” but “are resolved eventually”. Deep Saini, the V-C of Montreal-based McGill University, however, added that India and Canada “need to work closely together and remain friendly”.
“Anything that happens at the diplomatic level, we have no control over it…The current situation is causing distress among Indian students but we are here for them. We are ready to help them in any way we can,” said Saini. The 68-year-old is the first person of Indian origin to head the more than two centuries old university, ranked 31 in the world and first in Canada in the QS Rankings 2023.
Asked about the call for a separate Sikh state, or Khalistan, made by some in Canada, Saini said, “I cannot comment on that. It is a political issue. All I know is that in Canada, people from many parts of India are settled and are living harmoniously. Yes, there are a large number of Punjabis but there are also people from other parts of India which include diverse communities, religions and backgrounds. My own family members are from Sikh and Hindu communities and we live harmoniously. I hope this harmony will continue, and in fact I am quite optimistic that it will”.
Tension flared between the two countries after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India’s “potential” involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Rejecting allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”, New Delhi expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.
“Moments like this happen between countries and they are resolved eventually,” said Saini, adding that the two countries have always had a very good relationship. “I wish and pray that we will return to that relationship again and enjoy mutual benefits. The two countries need to work closely together and remain friendly,” said Saini, a native of Nawanshahr in Punjab.
The educationist, whose full name is Hargurdeep Singh Saini, \had moved to Australia in 1978 to pursue a PhD in plant physiology before shifting to Canada. He has worked with University of Alberta, University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo in canada and remained V-C of Dalhousie University. He has also worked with the University of Canberra, Australia.
“Political situation will take its own course but hope continues that it will be resolved soon. Our focus is that whatever the circumstances, we have to support our students,” said Saini, adding that “McGill University continues to be a safe and welcoming space for more than 775 Indian students on campus”.
Saini said that for the academic session which began in September, Indian students were able to travel safely and are on the campus. “Most of our students from India are already here. We are watching the situation for the next year…We are supporting every student from India in whatever way we can. There are areas where we have an influence, and there are others where we have no influence,” he said, adding he too had left his country to pursue studies abroad and “so I can understand”.
Saini, an alumnus of Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University, said his Indian roots “are an aspect of my life”. “I do my job as any other Canadian citizen. But I am aware that there are people who take inspiration from the fact that an Indian is heading Canada’s top university,” he said.
