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Tag: India-Canada Diplomatic Row

  • ‘Showing No Interest In De-Escalation…’: Defense Expert Weighs In On India-Canada Diplomatic Fallout | world news

    New Delhi: India and Canada are seeing a fresh wave of diplomatic fallout after Ottawa leveled allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India summoned ‘a representative from the Canadian High Commission’ and formally expressed protest against the claims made by Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison during a committee session. Amid the deteriorating relationship Defense Expert KP Fabian highlights how both Canada’s handling of the situation shows it has ‘no interest in de-escalation’ just now.

    In an interview with news agency ANI, KP Fabian points out the pathways both nations chose to deliver their sentiments regarding the issue, he said, “You may note that the MEA spokesperson said Canadian High Commission representative. Conventionally, you summon the High Commission, the Ambassador or the CDA.” The defense expert said that the reference to summon a country’s representative holds significance in this case.

    Then he went to draw the pattern Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government is following, Fabian said, “Let us assume, that Canada had good reason to conclude that there was some reason to believe in the likely involvement of the Home Minister of India. If that was the case, the correct thing would have been to talk to India through diplomatic channels rather than rush to the media.”

    The defense expert remarked that this indicates “The current government of Canada is not looking for de-escalation and it is not a good idea.”

    Defense Expert KP Fabian further criticized Canada’s approach to the ongoing diplomatic tensions with India, stating, “I do not see any sign of any interest in de-escalation.” He reiterated MEA’s claim that some Indian consular officials in Canada had been placed under audio-video surveillance, which he condemned as a breach of diplomatic protocol. “It is for Canada to deal with it diplomatically, not subject them to surveillance,” he said, adding that “Canada is acting contrary to diplomatic norms.”

    #WATCH | On India-Canada relations, Defense Expert KP Fabian says, “… You may note that the MEA spokesperson said Canadian High Commission representative. Conventionally, you summon the High Commission, the Ambassador or the CDA. In this case, the reference to the… pic.twitter.com/ff2RFwMCdC — ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2024

    According to a Reuters report, Canada alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was involved in “plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.”

    Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison, speaking to a parliamentary panel, claimed he informed the Washington Post that “Shah was behind the plots.”

  • India Summons Canadian Envoy Over ‘Baseless’ Claims Against Amit Shah | world news

    India summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission on Saturday, expressing strong objections to allegations made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah by Ottawa. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India has strongly rejected the ‘absurd and baseless’ references made to Shah by Canadian Deputy Minister David Morrison during a committee session.

    “We had summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday, a diplomatic note was handed over in reference to the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security in Ottawa on October 29, 2024,” Jaiswal said.

    Reiterating Indian government’s view of Canada’s ‘behavioural pattern’ motivated by the ‘political agenda’, Jaiswal said, “The revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only. confirms the view that the government of India has long held about the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioral pattern.”

    “Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties,” the MEA spokesperson said adding that the Government of India protests such allegations in the ‘strongest terms.’

    #WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “Regarding the latest Canadian target, we summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday… It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless… pic. twitter.com/8rJhp9uS9G

    — ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024

    As reported by Reuters, Canada claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was involved in “plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil.”

    In a statement to a parliamentary panel, Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Morrison alleged that he told the Washington Post that “Shah was behind the plots.”

    Meanwhile, the United States responded to Canada’s allegations against Amit Shah on Wednesday, describing them as ‘concerning.’ State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations.”

  • ‘Hindus Fear For Safety In Canada’, Indian-Origin MP Urges Trudeau’s Action | world news

    Canadian MP Chandra Arya flagged the rising Khalistani extremism in Canada, he voiced concerns over the safety of the Hindu community. He said that the Hindu Community in the country fear for their safety, “I too have experienced these concerns firsthand.” Chandra Arya pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to recognize the threat to Canadian-Hindu community from Khalistani groups and take action.

    “Last week, I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of RCMP officers, as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me,” Arya said in a video posted on ‘X’. The MP stated that Canadians expect their national government to work with countries affected by terrorism and extremism to ensure the safety of its citizens.

    His statement comes at a time when India and Canada are at crossroads over the alleged involvement of Indian diplomats in the assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Gurudwara in British Columbia. Trudeau has accused India of collaborating with organized crime elements to carry out ‘violent acts’ against Canadian citizens on their territory. India strongly criticized PM Justin Trudeau’s strategy claiming it to be an act of entertaining ‘vote bank’ dynamics of Canada.

    Arya urged the Hindu-Canadians to be vocal about the issue and suggested that the main cause of this persistence of Canadian Khalistani extremism is rooted in the ‘political patronage’ that these extremists receive. The Canadian MP called for both countries to restart diplomatic talks to solve the problem.

    “Recent revelations and developments are impacting Canada and India’s ability to collaborate on this issue. It is critical that we all recognize the importance of eliminating cross-border threats posed by Khalistani extremism and resume our efforts to address it effectively,” Arya said.

    Text of my statement: I have heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments. As a Hindu Member of Parliament, I too have experienced these concerns firsthand. Last week, I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of… pic.twitter.com/mf7hhoxnEL — Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) October 16, 2024

    He further added, “We (Hindu-Canadians) are one of the most educated and successful communities in this country, contributing greatly to Canada’s progress. Yet, our low profile is often mistaken for weakness by politicians.”

    Notably, on October 14, India expelled six Canadian diplomats shortly after summoning Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler. India expressed that the “unfounded targeting” of its High Commissioner and other diplomats in Canada was entirely unacceptable.

  • Indian Diplomats ‘Clearly On Notice’, Says Canada Foreign Minister Amid Diplomatic Tensions | India News

    Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on Friday cautioned Indian diplomats remaining in the country, stating they are ‘clearly on notice’ not to compromise Canadian safety. The statement comes as diplomatic tensions continue to rise, fueled by Canada’s unproven allegations of Indian involvement in the death of a Sikh separatist leader, a claim that India has firmly rejected.

    The diplomatic standoff intensified earlier this week when Canada expelled India’s High Commissioner and five other diplomats, accusing them of involvement in a campaign of violence and intimidation targeting Sikh separatists in the country. The response came following New Delhi’s rejection of Ottawa’s allegations connecting the envoy to the investigation into the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. While, Canada announced it had expelled 6 Indian diplomats.

    “We’ve never seen that in our history. That level of transnational repression cannot happen on Canadian soil. We’ve seen it elsewhere in Europe. Russia has done that in Germany and the UK and we needed to stand firm on this issue,” PTI quoted Joly in Montreal.

    When asked about the possibility of further expulsions of Indian diplomats, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated, “They are clearly on notice. Six of them have been expelled, including the High Commissioner in Ottawa. Others were primarily based in Toronto and Vancouver, and we clearly won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna Convention.”

    Joly’s comments come as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) allege that Indian diplomats were involved in the events leading to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist and designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead last year in British Columbia.

  • ‘If Proven, Would Be Very Concerned’: New Zealand Weighs In On Canada’s Allegation Against India | India News

    India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters revealed he was briefed by Canada about an “ongoing criminal investigation into violence and threats of violence against members of its South Asian community.” Peters added that if Canadian law enforcement can substantiate these ‘publicly outlined’ allegations, the consequences could be ‘very concerning.’

    This statement follows New Delhi’s firm rejection of any claims that its diplomats or officials were involved in the alleged assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. The tensions have escalated since the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, named several Indian diplomats in the investigation. India has since expelled six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi, while withdrawing six of its own officials from Toronto, citing a lack of trust in Canadian authorities.

    In a post on ‘X’ Peters wrote, “New Zealand has been briefed by Canada about its recent announcements on ongoing criminal investigations into violence and threats of violence against members of its South Asian community. The alleged criminal conduct outlined publicly by Canadian law enforcement authorities, if proven, would be very concerned.”

    Foreign minister Peters further added. “We expect all such communities to act, and be treated, lawfully and with respect.”

    New Zealand has been briefed by Canada about its recent announcements on ongoing criminal investigations into violence and threats of violence against members of its South Asian community.

    The alleged criminal conduct outlined publicly by Canadian law enforcement authorities, if…

    — Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) October 15, 2024

    Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.

    Notably, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm retort on Monday over the allegation leveled by Canadian authorities, the MEA statement said, “The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics.”