Stop providing criminal, secessionist elements a safe haven: India ...
The ties between India and Canada have been strained since September 2023 when Trudeau alleged that Indian agents might be involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge denied by New Delhi. (File Photos)
Two days after a parade displaying pro-Khalistan sentiments was taken out in Ontario’s Malton, India on Tuesday called on Ottawa to “stop providing criminal and secessionist elements” a safe space in Canada.
Accusing the Canadian government of allowing “celebration and glorification” of violence, the Ministry of External Affairs reminded the Justin Trudeau government that it was not the first time that such a float had been used in a procession. The previous year, a float depicting the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi had invited a similar rebuke from New Delhi.
“As you are aware, we have repeatedly raised our strong concerns regarding the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the Canadian government. He added that India continued to remain concerned about the security of its diplomatic representatives in Canada.
Jaiswal also raised the issue of posters threatening violence to Indian diplomats being put out across Canada. “Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilized society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression,” he said, as per the PTI. “We again call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in Canada,” he added.
The ties between India and Canada have been strained since September 2023 when Trudeau alleged that Indian agents might be involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge denied by New Delhi. Last week, the Canadian authorities had charged three Indian nationals, who had entered Canada on student visas, with the murder of Nijjar.
