Amid the ongoing diplomatic row with Canada, India has come down heavily on the Justin Trudeau government accusing it of providing “political space” to extremists, who often indulge in anti-India activities.
India’s External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who is on a four-day official visit to Australia, lambasted Canada where pro-Khalistan elements clashed with devotees at the Hindu Sabha temple on Sunday and disrupted a consular event organized by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.
Talking about Canada’s allegation on the Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case, Minister Jaishankar said Canada has developed a pattern of making “unsubstantiated allegations”.
“Let me make three comments, one, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us, the fact that…our diplomats are under surveillance, is something which is unacceptable,” Jaishankar added.
“The third is the incident which the gentleman spoke about, do look at the video. I think that will tell in a way the political space which is being given to extremist forces there,” the Indian minister was quoted as saying in the media reports.
Jaishankar’s Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, termed the incidents “upsetting” for the Indian community.
“About the vandalism that you describe, I know that our local members expressed a very strong view about that, particularly linked to Diwali, which is a very upsetting thing for members of faith, community, and the Indian community more broadly,” she said.
Jaishankar also strongly reacted to the temple incident, saying those involved in violence must be prosecuted.
“We condemn the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario. (on Sunday) We call on the government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an official statement issued in New Delhi on Monday.
Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as “cowardly attempts to intimidate” Indian diplomats.
He also asked the Canadian government to ensure justice.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Modi posted on X.
