MEA condemns pro-Khalistan slogans | ‘Impacts India-Canada ties,’ says Randhir Jaiswal

MEA condemns pro-Khalistan slogans | The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday condemned the pro-Khalistan slogans at a public event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and stressed that this shows the kind of political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence.

During the weekly presser, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said, “PM Trudeau has made such remarks earlier as well…His remarks illustrate once again the kind of political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence.”

Further, Jaiswal emphasised that this encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada.

“This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” he said.

During the Khalsa Day Celebrations in Toronto, pro-Khalistan slogans were loudly chanted in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. The chants intensified as PM Trudeau prepared to deliver his address marking Khalsa Day, as seen in a video released by Canada-based TV. 

In response to the incident, India summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs to express its concerns regarding the matter.

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiwal on Thursday reiterated, “You would have seen our Press Release on the summoning of the Canadian Deputy High Commission regarding an event attended by PM Trudeau where Khalistan slogans were raised.”

During the Khalsa Day Celebrations in Toronto, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau reassured the Sikh Community, affirming the government’s commitment to protecting their rights and freedoms at all costs. He emphasised Canada’s strength in diversity, stating that the country is strong not despite its differences, but because of them. 

The event, attended by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, saw chants of “Khalistan Zindabad.”

Trudeau’s remarks come amidst strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada. 

Notably, it was the killing  Hardeep Singh Nijjar, that sparked a row between both the countries.

The killing led to accusations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the government of India had a hand in the killing — a claim that was denied by India and led to the deterioration of diplomatic ties between Canada and India.