Taking exception to posters inciting violence against Indian diplomats in Canada and a few other countries, India on Thursday said such activities are not at all acceptable. Moreover, space must not be given to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression, New Delhi asserted.
This strong message came on a day when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried to dispel the notion that his country was soft on the alleged Khalistan supporters due to vote bank and said Canada has taken threats of violence “extremely seriously”.
The Canadian Prime Minister’s assurance came a day after India issued demarche to the former’s envoy to New Delhi expressing concern over threat to Indian diplomats and a planned rally to the Indian embassy there on July 8.
Making India’s stand clear, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said space must not be given to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression.
At a media briefing in New Delhi, he also asserted that the safety of Indian diplomats and the country’s missions is of utmost importance for the Government.
Facing India’s questions on pro-Khalistan gatherings, Trudeau said his country has always taken threats of violence “extremely seriously”.
During a media interaction, the Canadian Prime Minister was asked about a parade float depicting former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination at a rally in Brampton and “Kill India” posters put up by Khalistan supporters.
Responding to allegations that his Government is soft on Khalistan supporters for electoral goals, Trudeau said, “They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will.”
“We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something that we have but we will always make sure that we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms,” he added.
This comes days after New Delhi summoned the Canadian envoy and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada. Some groups of Khalistan supporters have planned protests outside Indian missions in Canada this Saturday.
Hitting out strongly at the Canadian Government, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week said Ottawa seems to be driven by “vote-bank politics” and this has also impacted the ties between the two countries.
“How Canada has dealt with the Khalistani issue is a longstanding issue for us, because very frankly, they seem to be driven by vote bank politics. Their responses have been constrained by what they regard as vote bank compulsions,” he said.
“We made it very clear that if there are activities which are permitted from Canada that impinge on our sovereignty, territorial integrity and our security, then we will have to respond,” the Minister said, adding that this has impacted bilateral ties over the past few years.
Canada has assured India of the safety of diplomats in view of the rally planned by Khalistani supporters and posters threatening Indian officials.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly highlighted the country’s adherence to the Vienna Conventions. “Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously,” she said in a statement.
“Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8, which are unacceptable,” she said, adding that the actions of a few individuals “do not speak for an entire community or Canada”.