By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday mentioned that Canada has at all times taken “serious action” towards terrorism and it’ll proceed to take action as he asserted that it’s “wrong” to consider his authorities is smooth on Khalistan supporters and terrorists within the nation.
His remarks got here days after India summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi on Monday and issued a demarche over the rising actions by pro-Khalistani parts in Canada. His remarks additionally got here two days forward of a proposed pro-Khalistan rally exterior the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on July 8.
“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,” Trudeau mentioned whereas responding to a query throughout a press convention.
He was requested a couple of parade float within the Greater Toronto Area final month that depicted former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Khalistan supporters, marking the thirty ninth anniversary of Operation Blue Star, put up a tableau of the late prime minister with blood on her garments and a poster that learn, “Revenge of attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”.
Recently, provocative pro-Khalistani posters labelling some senior Indian diplomats as “killers” sparked outrage across India.
“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,” Trudeau said.
It is learnt that India has asked the Canadian authorities to take appropriate measures in view of planned protests by pro-Khalistan groups outside Indian missions in Canada on July 8.
Canada on Tuesday assured India of the safety of its diplomats, a day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India has asked its partner countries such as Canada, the UK and the US not to give space to “extremist Khalistani ideology” as it is “not good” for relations.
Jaishankar, when asked about reports of Khalistani posters in Canada naming Indian diplomats, told reporters in New Delhi on Monday that the “radical, extremist Khalistani ideology” is not good for India or its partner countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.
A statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Tuesday termed the “promotional material” circulating forward of the Khalistan rally “unacceptable”.
Joly, in the statement highlighting Canada’s adherence to the Vienna Conventions, said: “Canada takes its obligations underneath the Vienna Conventions relating to the protection of diplomats very severely.”
Joly also emphasised that the actions of a few individuals “don’t communicate for a whole neighborhood or Canada”.
