The Foreign Ministry convened the Canadian High Commissioner on Friday and warned that comments such as those of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could have a “seriously damaging impact” on ties between India and Canada.
In a strong statement, the MEA stated that the Canadian envoy was informed that the comments of the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet ministers and members of Parliament on issues related to Indian farmers “constitute unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.”
“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the statement added.
Trudeau, during an online event on Monday to mark the 551st birthday of Guru Nanak, had spoken about the farmers’ turmoil in India. He said the news from India was “disturbing” and that his country “would always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.”
“We are all very concerned about family and friends. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that is why we have reached out through multiple means directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns,” he said during the virtual celebration with the Sikhs. community.
The MEA said these comments have encouraged meetings of “extremist activities” in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise safety and security issues.
“We hope that the Canadian government will guarantee maximum security for Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” the statement added.
Also on Tuesday, a day after Trudeau’s statement, India had denounced the Canadian Prime Minister’s comments on farmers’ protests as “misinformed” and “unjustified.” “Such comments are unjustified, especially when they concern the internal affairs of a democratic country,” said MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava.
Trudeau’s comments were echoed by other Canadian leaders, including conservative party leader Erin O’Toole, who called the right to peacefully protest “fundamental” to democracy.
The statements were issued after thousands of farmers traveled to Delhi over the past week to demand the abandonment of controversial agricultural reforms. Protesters ran into barricades on the Delhi border last week and clashes broke out between farmers and police.
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