'Political Space Given To Separatism, Extremism, Violence': MEA Rebuke On Canada's Khalistan Event

India on Thursday slammed the Canadian government for giving “political space” to separatist and extremist elements in the country, days after it held a Khalistan event attended by Justin Trudeau.

This rebuke comes after Trudeau said the “problem” created by the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar can’t be ignored. He made these remarks during a media interaction in Toronto on Sunday, on the sidelines of a Khalistan event attended by him.

‘Khalistan slogans raised’

“You would have seen our press release that we made when we summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner regarding an event that was attended by PM Trudeau where Khalistan slogans were raised. The other media engagement, that you are referring to, took place on the sidelines of this event,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference.

“PM Trudeau has made those remarks earlier as well. So, it is nothing new. His remarks illustrate once again the kind of political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence. This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its citizens,” he added.

India-Canada ties soured after Trudeau last September said that Ottawa was “actively pursuing credible allegations” that Indian agents were potentially linked to the June killing of Nijjar. Strongly rejecting the accusations, New Delhi on several occasions asked Ottawa to furnish solid proof.

‘Deep concern’

On Monday, India summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner and conveyed its strong protest after separatist slogans were raised during an event in Toronto. Pro-Khalistan chants filled the air during a Khalsa parade where Trudeau addressed the attendees on the occasion of Khalsa Day. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party (NDP) also attended the rally. In the MEA statement, India expressed deep concern over such actions, highlighting the political space in Canada for separatism and extremism.

“The Government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” it added.

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