Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed India’s strongest concerns to Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the anti-India activities by pro-Khalistani elements in the country during the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
The Indo-Canadian ties have hit a new low with India highlighting the anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada while the country has remained adamant on the concept of “Freedom of Expression" for the communities.
In the recently concluded G20 Summit on Sunday, Justin Trudeau skipped the President’s reception for the G20 leaders. As per reports, Trudeau also was not present at the announcement of the India-Middle East Corridor as well as the declaration on biofuels.
What PM Modi Told Trudeau
PM Modi conveyed to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau New Delhi’s strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada as they are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats and threatening the Indian community there.
In his talks with Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi also mentioned that a relationship based on “mutual respect and trust" is essential for the progress of India-Canada relationship.
“He conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship," a government statement said.
“The nexus of such forces with organized crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats," the statement added.
What Prompted India to take the hard stance?
PM Modi is deeply concerned about the role of Canada in anti-India propaganda, top government sources have told News18.
They said that India agencies have briefed Trudeau time to time about the terror networks in Canada working deep in Punjab and engaged in supari killing and anti-India rhetoric on social media.
The government have also showed video proofs where arm training was being given in a Gurudwara of Canada. Top Khalistani leaders based in Canada have been working against India and spoiling the youths born after 1984.
There has been a spate of attacks against Hindu temples in Canada by pro-Khalistani supporters. In August this year, a Hindu temple in Canada’s British Columbia was vandalised with Khalistan referendum posters on the main door of the temple. In January, another prominent Hindu temple in Brampton was vandalised with anti-India graffiti. In April, another Hindu temple in Ontario was vandalised with similar anti-India graffiti.
In June, a video emerged on social media that showed a float depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi. It was reportedly part of a parade that was organised by some Khalistani elements in Brampton.
Attack on Indian High Commission in Canada
Canada has the highest population of Sikhs outside their home state of Punjab in India, and the country has been the site of many protests that have irked India.
Earlier this year, there were violent protests by Khalistan supporters who attacked the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and hurled grenades at the mission in March. The Indian agencies found that pro-Khalistan protesters were behind the attack on the high commission building.
There were also demonstrations at the Indian consulate in Toronto against the alleged murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, pro-Khalistani leader, in the Vancouver area.
In July, India summoned the Canadian envoy and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada, days after posters featuring names of India’s senior diplomats serving in Canada featured in some posters in certain areas in that country.
India has raised grave concerns on the attacks on Indian diplomats and missions from time to time. However, the Canadian government never supported on the advance information about the protest near Indian missions.
What Has Trudeau Said in Response
Justin Trudeau, when asked about India’s concerns on increasing Khalistani activities, said his country will always defend freedom of peaceful protest but asserted that it will always prevent violence and push back against hatred.
“Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us," Trudeau said.
“At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred. I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada," he added.
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