Unwarranted comments encouraged gatherings of ‘extremist activities’ in front of our missions in Canada, says MEA
Stepping up its protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks about ongoing farmers’ stir in the country, India on Friday said these comments could have a “seriously damaging impact” on ties between the two countries.
India issued this stern message after summoning Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel here. The External Affairs Ministry said the comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers “constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs”.
This strong statement came after Trudeau recently said, “We’re all very worried about family and friends. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we’ve reached out through multiple means directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”
The External Affairs Ministry said these comments have encouraged gatherings of “extremist activities” in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security.
“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism,” the statement added.
On Tuesday too, a day after Trudeau’s statement, India had denounced the Canadian Prime Minister’s remarks on the farmers’ agitation as “ill-informed” and “unwarranted”.
“Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country,” the Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said.
On Friday, New Delhi also said, “Comments by Canadian leaders on Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs. Such actions, if continued, will have a seriously damaging impact on bilateral ties.”
On Monday, speaking at an event to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, Trudeau had spoken in support of farmers in India and weighed in on the right to peaceful protest. “Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest,” said the Canadian Prime Minister.
Trudeau’s remarks were echoed by other Canadian leaders, including Conservative party leader Erin O’Toole, who called the right to peacefully protest “fundamental” to democracy. Trudeau was the first world leader to comment on the farmers’ stir.
The Indian demarche on Friday was tougher as compared to Tuesday’s response. On that day, New Delhi refrained from naming the Canadian Prime Minister.
Taking exception to his remarks, Srivastava on Tuesday had said the comments were “ill-informed” and “unwarranted”. The spokesperson also said, “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.”