India Summons Canada Diplomat

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has voiced its severe opposition to separatist slogans referring to “Khalistan” during a public gathering that was attended by Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin...

Ruby Thakur
April 30, 2024
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Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has voiced its severe opposition to separatist slogans referring to “Khalistan” during a public gathering that was attended by Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. India expressed its strong disapproval and profound concern over the event to the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, who was summoned by the MEA. “This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence.

India Summons Canada Diplomat

Why In News

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has voiced its severe opposition to separatist slogans referring to “Khalistan” during a public gathering that was attended by Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

India expressed its strong disapproval and profound concern over the event to the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, who was summoned by the MEA. “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,” the MEA said in a statement.

All You Need To Know

INDIA summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a strong protest over the pro-Khalistan slogans raised during a public event in Toronto in the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The event was also attended by Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Trudeau’s ruling coalition partner, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

The Ministry of External Affairs, “ Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was summoned to Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada.”
It said, “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.”

At the event on Sunday, as the Canadian PM walked up to the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day, the chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” kept getting louder, showed a video released by Canadian TV channels.
It happened again when Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre walked up to the stage to begin his address. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present at the event.
In his address during the Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto, Trudeau said, “We gather here today to remember that one of Canada’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We are strong, not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences. But even as we look at these differences, we have to remember and get reminded on days such as this and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values.”

Trudeau, who has upset India with allegations that Delhi was involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, also vowed to always protect the rights and freedoms of Sikhs in Canada and defend the community against hatred and discrimination. India has called the allegations of Nijjar’s killing “absurd” and “politically motivated”.

In a speech to Sikhs on Khalsa Day, Prime Minister Trudeau praised Canada’s diversity, saying that it is one of its greatest assets. We are strong not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences; but even as we look at these differences, we have to remember, and get reminded on days such as this, and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values.”

On Khalsa Day, thousands of Sikhs descended onto downtown Toronto for one of the largest annual gatherings in the city.
Following the uproar around the passing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an Indian terrorist designation, Trudeau’s comments come at a delicate moment in the diplomatic relationship between Canada and India. Thousands of Sikhs attended the yearly Khalsa Day celebration in downtown Toronto despite the unrest, demonstrating the community’s solidarity and robust presence.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding separatist movements and their impact on bilateral relations between India and Canada.

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Ruby Thakur

General Studies Lecturer SSBCrackExams, BSc In PCM, Trained Students For State Services Exams. Expertise in Geography ,Polity & Current Affairs. Love Travelling.