New Delhi (India), July 4: Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has in a Tweet said, “Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8th, which are unacceptable. We know that the actions of a few do not speak for an entire community or Canada.”
Earlier, the India summoned Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi over propaganda material, including posters, containing threats to Indian diplomats being circulated in Canada and has served a demarche to the Justin Trudeau government, reports ANI.
The ANI report further said, “According to sources, India on Monday (3 July, 2023) raised concerns over threats to its diplomats in posters being circulated in Canada with information on a pro-Khalistan rally to be held on July 8. The posters contained threats to the Indian Ambassador to Canada and the Consulate General in Toronto. The posters purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists have named the Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma and the Consulate General of India, Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava accusing them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.”
“The rally is being held in the name of Harjit Singh Nijjar aka Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was killed in a targeted shooting in Canada’s Surrey on June 18.
Earlier today, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that her country is in close contact with Indian officials in light of some “unacceptable” posters that have appeared in Canada, regarding a protest planned for July 8, which bears the names and photos of some top Indian diplomats.”
“On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Delhi, said India has requested partner countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia not to give space to Khalistanis as these radical extremist ideologies are not good for their relationship.”
When asked about reports of posters in Canada naming Indian diplomats, Jaishankar said, “We have requested our partner countries, like Canada, UK, Australia, US that they should not give space to these Khalistanis. These radical extremist ideologies aren’t good for us, them, or our ties. Will raise the issue of these posters,” reports ANI. Earlier this month, a tableau parade was organised in Ontario celebrating the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi, which drew severe criticism from New Delhi.
NDTV reports, speaking to the reporters, Jaishankar said, “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. 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”.
Earlier, the US strongly condemned the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Sunday (2 July, 2023).
“The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offense,” US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a tweet.
UPDATE:
Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said that space must not be given to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression. At a media briefing, he also asserted that the safety of Indian diplomats and the country’s missions is of utmost importance for the government reports The Hindu. (6 July, 2023).
