Canada will always defend the right to peaceful protests, said Justin Trudeau.
New Delhi:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his support for the right of farmers in India to hold peaceful protests hours after the central government summoned the country’s high commissioner on Friday to express his disgust at his original comments.
“Canada will always uphold the right to peaceful protests anywhere in the world. And we are pleased to see movements towards de-escalation and dialogue,” he told reporters in Ottawa to a question about India’s warning that it could damage ties between Both countries. two countries.
When pressed further about whether he was concerned about the consequences, Trudeau coldly reiterated the first line of his statement.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked a few moments ago if he is concerned that his comments on the #Farmersprotests will damage relations with India
Here is his answer: pic.twitter.com/01MRKxcqBP
– Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) December 4, 2020
India had summoned Canada’s ambassador on Friday and warned of serious damage to diplomatic relations after Prime Minister Trudeau commented on growing protests by farmers.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping on the outskirts of New Delhi since last week to protest against new laws on the trade in agricultural products that they say will leave them at the mercy of large corporations and overturn legal safeguards.
Before being allowed into Delhi, farmers faced brutal police repression in neighboring Haryana and Trudeau posted a video on Twitter this week calling the events “worrying” and saying that farmers should be allowed to. farmers will hold peaceful protests.
The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, who represent many migrants in Canada. India and Canada have warm ties, but in recent years there has been concern in India that some Sikh leaders in Canada have ties to separatist groups hostile to India.
India’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Canada’s top diplomat for a warning about “unacceptable interference” in India’s internal affairs.
“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” a statement said.
The ministry said “misinformed” comments by Trudeau and other Canadian politicians had encouraged “extremist” meetings in front of Indian missions in Canada.
“We hope that the Canadian government guarantees maximum security for Indian diplomatic personnel and their political leaders refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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