&w=1024&resize=1024,0&ssl=1 "'Trudeau's hostility has been evident for a long time': India hits back at Canada | Foreign Defense Security News")
India strongly condemned recent diplomatic communications from Canada, which suggested that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats had become “persons of interest” in the ongoing investigations in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) on Monday attributed the claims to a political strategy by the Justin Trudeau government, which aims to secure electoral support.
Canada has accused India of involvement in the murder of pro-Khalistan militant Hardeep Singh Nizar.
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High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, who served in Japan, Sudan and several other countries, is specifically mentioned in Canadian communications.
Verma last year requested the Canadian government to provide evidence of his allegations against the Indian government.
In a statement, the ministry said: “Since Prime Minister Trudeau made some allegations in September 2023, no competent evidence has been shared with the government of India. Instead, this new communication continues the trend of baseless claims, which appear to be part of a deliberate strategy to defame India for political gain,” the statement said.
Background to the India-Canada dispute
Diplomatic tensions between the two countries erupted shortly after Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to India in 2018. The Trudeau administration has been repeatedly accused of harboring “separatism, extremism and violence” in Canada. Trudeau spoke to people believed to be linked to the pro-Khalistan movement, attended events and refused to cancel rallies, saying it was not the Canadian government's job to “suppress political protests.”
His administration also faced criticism for inducting people into the cabinet with links to extremist and separatist agendas in relation to India.
The call further damaged relations between the two countries, with the MEA describing Trudeau's action as “pure interference” in India's internal affairs.
Tensions rose in December 2020 when Trudeau expressed support for protests in India, a move that was seen as direct interference in the country's internal affairs.
Canadian complaint against Indian diplomats
The current allegations are believed to be an attempt by the Trudeau administration to deflect criticism surrounding foreign interference in Canadian politics, the ministry said.
“It is no coincidence that these allegations come at a time when Prime Minister Trudeau will testify before the Foreign Interference Commission. Targeting Indian diplomats falls within this broader context,” the MEA added.
Indian diplomats harassed in Canada
India expressed concern over Canada's tolerance towards “extremist elements”. In its statement, the ministry noted that its diplomats and community leaders have faced harassment and threats, including death threats, under the pretext of freedom of expression. The MEA noted that persons associated with criminal activities in India have been allowed to settle in Canada. Several extradition requests were ignored, the statement added.
The MEA described the allegations against Verma as “ridiculous” and “insulting”.
“High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma is India’s most senior diplomat with a distinguished career spanning 36 years… The smear campaign against him by the Canadian government is ridiculous and deserves to be treated with contempt,” the MEA said.
In light of these developments, the Government of India has indicated the possibility of further measures invoking the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic representation.
