NEW DELHI, May 16 : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that India’s bilateral ties with Canada have deteriorated due to Ottawa’s own domestic political interests in giving shelter to pro-Khalistani separatist elements, even as he warned that by giving shelter to “such people who are criminals” Canada will see gang warfare being played out in its territory.
Answering questions at an event in Nashik, the EAM said: “Everybody is aware that these days our ties with Canada have deteriorated a little, and the reason for this is due to Canada’s own domestic politics.”
He said that “Freedom of speech cannot be freedom to advocate violence, to support separatism, or terrorism in a foreign country. But there is a group of Khalistanis who have misused the freedoms given in Canada — not just now, they have been doing it for years.”
“And in Canada’s politics, these elements are part of vote bank politics, and they are encouraged.”
“Today I will state a fact that due to the activities of these people our bilateral relations have deteriorated,” he said, adding that the Indian diplomats face threats hurled at them by Khalistani elements and once a smoke bomb was hurled into the house of the envoy.”
The EAM said that whosoever supported separatism against India was “given shelter in that country”.
“We feel that Canada’s government and politics should give serious thought to this aspect. We have tried to make them understand about it many times, that even as our ties will deteriorate it is also not in Canada’s interest to give shelter to such people who are criminals ? I can’t think of a better word to describe these elements — as they will bring gang warfare in Canada too.”
“So they should understand our case, but due to their internal politics and political interests they have refused to heed us. And there are those who are taking full advantage of this aspect,” he added.
His comments come as four Indian nationals have been arrested by Ottawa and charged with murder in the case of the killing of separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh, all in their 20s, have been arrested in connection with the killing of Nijjar.
Ties between the two nations have gone on a downward spiral following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar.
India has dismissed the charges. (UNI)
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