The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. Archive. | Photograph credit score: Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the presence of Khalistan supporters in Canada, however stated they don’t symbolize the Sikh neighborhood as a complete.
His feedback got here lately throughout Deepavali celebrations on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, amid an ongoing diplomatic row with India over the assassination of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Additionally learn: Why have tensions between India and Canada worsened? | Defined
“There are lots of Khalistan supporters in Canada, however they don’t symbolize the Sikh neighborhood as a complete. Equally, there are supporters of the Prime Minister [Narendra] The Modi authorities in Canada, however they don’t symbolize all Hindu Canadians,” Trudeau stated.
Relations between the 2 nations got here beneath severe pressure following Trudeau’s accusations in September final yr of the “potential” involvement of Indian brokers in Nijjar’s homicide.
New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s accusations as “absurd.”
India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its excessive commissioner Sanjay Verma and different “goal” officers from Canada after strongly dismissing Ottawa’s allegations.
See: Nijjar Homicide – Pannun Case: How ought to India deal with the diplomatic fallout?
India has been sustaining that the primary downside between the 2 nations is Canada giving house to pro-Khalistan components working from Canadian soil with impunity.
Final week, Khalistani supporters disrupted a consular occasion co-hosted by the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and the Indian Consulate.
The incident was condemned by Mr. Trudeau, who stated each Canadian has the suitable to follow their religion freely and safely.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated New Delhi stays “deeply involved” concerning the security of Indian residents in Canada.
The Indian consulate in Toronto stated it was canceling a number of the consular occasions deliberate for this month as a result of “Canadian safety businesses conveyed their incapability to supply minimal safety safety” to the organisers.
Printed – Nov 09, 2024 12:15 pm IST
