New Delhi: Regarding the anti-India elements that are continuously flourishing in Canada, the Modi government has bluntly said that it hopes that Canada will take action against the anti-India elements.External Affairs Ministry official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said India’s position on the Canada issue is consistent as it expects Ottawa to take action against separatists who are abusing freedom of speech and expression in their country. Addressing a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Bagchi said India has always highlighted that the main issue is the space given to extremists, terrorists and anti-India elements in Canada.
Asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s comment that he has seen a major change in India’s relations with Canada following reports of the alleged assassination plot by the US, Arindam Bagchi said, “I’m not at all sure.” “I don’t know how to respond to that. In that sense, it’s a comment from the Prime Minister of Canada and I wouldn’t want to comment on that. But I think our position has been pretty consistent whenever this issue has been raised.” It is noteworthy that relations between India and Canada have come under strain after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of having a hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has rejected the allegations as absurd and politically motivated.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said, “I think we have highlighted how we see the problem and clearly the main issue is the space that is given to extremists and terrorists and anti-India elements in that country I think you have heard from the Secretary of State as well as others recently about the developments in that matter and about the fact that if there is something that we look at but at its core, the problem That is. So I would like to say whether they have seen any change or not. Certainly, our position remains consistent and we would hope that they would take action against extremist elements who are trying to violate freedom of speech and expression in their country. They are misusing it.
Trudeau said he believes India’s relations with Canada will be strengthened after the unsealing of a US indictment accusing him of plotting the assassination of India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, Canada-based CBC News reported. There would have been a radical change in relations. Trudeau made the comments in a year-end interview with CBC’s Rosemary Barton. “I think there’s beginning to be an understanding that they can’t bluff their way through this and there’s an openness to collaborating in a way that maybe they were less open to before,” he said. Trudeau said, “We do not want to be in a situation of fighting with India on this right now.” He said that we want to work on that trade agreement. We want to pursue the Indo-Pacific strategy. “But it’s fundamental for Canada to stand up for people’s rights, people’s safety and the rule of law.”
It is kind of preposterous for India to attempt to dictate its penchants on Canada. It wouldn’t work. Canada does not depend on India for anything except hard-working, skilled, conscientious people! Those of us who chose to live/work in Canada know the facts. For sure, many may agree or disagree with the policies of Central and/or State governments. Remember the quandary of thousands of Indian youths who arrived here seeking far better opportunities – the arcane pleas from India could very well harmfully impact their future. Therefore, both Canadian and Indian governments may want to lower the temperature and use savoir-faire in order to work together for a brighter future for both nations.