NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday addressed the ongoing tensions between India and Canada, especially in light of the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Referring to his recent interactions with senior journalists, Jaishankar said the current situation was due to Canada’s internal politics and had nothing to do with India.
The minister emphasized on improving India’s global image and the heads of state praised both India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, he noted that Canada remains an exception due to the influence of pro-Khalistani factions, which are an important vote bank in the country.
“India’s image globally is actually at an all-time high…with the exception of Canada. You can see that the heads of state are praising Mr. Bharat and the Prime Minister,” the External Affairs Minister said.
Jaishankar stressed that India has repeatedly asked Canada not to provide visas, legality or political space to such individuals as it would cause problems for the two countries and their relations.
“We have persuaded them (Canada) time and time again to deny visas, legitimacy and political space to people like this who are causing problems for them (Canada), for us and for our relationship. ” Jaishankar said.
Despite India’s request for the extradition of 25 people, mostly pro-Khalistani, the Canadian government has not taken any action, he said.
Relations between India and Canada have deteriorated significantly since last September, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the possible involvement of Indian agents in Niger’s murder. India dismissed Trudeau’s accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Jaishankar said, “Canada has not shown any evidence. Canada does not share evidence with us in certain cases and police agencies do not cooperate with us. It is their responsibility in Canada to blame India. They are indulging in vote bank politics as the election approaches in Canada.
The foreign minister also touched on India’s relations with China and Pakistan and asserted that the Modi government is taking a firm stand against any threat of terrorism from Pakistan or cross-border terrorism. Regarding the border dispute with China, Foreign Minister Jaishankar said India has strongly countered the pressure posed by Chinese military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Referring to his recent interactions with senior journalists, Jaishankar said the current situation was due to Canada’s internal politics and had nothing to do with India.
The minister emphasized on improving India’s global image and the heads of state praised both India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, he noted that Canada remains an exception due to the influence of pro-Khalistani factions, which are an important vote bank in the country.
“India’s image globally is actually at an all-time high…with the exception of Canada. You can see that the heads of state are praising Mr. Bharat and the Prime Minister,” the External Affairs Minister said.
Expanding
“We have persuaded them (Canada) time and time again to deny visas, legitimacy and political space to people like this who are causing problems for them (Canada), for us and for our relationship. ” Jaishankar said.
Despite India’s request for the extradition of 25 people, mostly pro-Khalistani, the Canadian government has not taken any action, he said.
Relations between India and Canada have deteriorated significantly since last September, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the possible involvement of Indian agents in Niger’s murder. India dismissed Trudeau’s accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Jaishankar said, “Canada has not shown any evidence. Canada does not share evidence with us in certain cases and police agencies do not cooperate with us. It is their responsibility in Canada to blame India. They are indulging in vote bank politics as the election approaches in Canada.
The foreign minister also touched on India’s relations with China and Pakistan and asserted that the Modi government is taking a firm stand against any threat of terrorism from Pakistan or cross-border terrorism. Regarding the border dispute with China, Foreign Minister Jaishankar said India has strongly countered the pressure posed by Chinese military deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
