S. Jaishankar’s Strong Stand: Addressing India-Canada Tensions, Emphasizing Freedom of Speech, and Rejecting ‘Deadlock’ Notion Amid Nijjar Killing Row
In the recent India-Canada diplomatic row, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, addressed the situation during a press conference in Washington DC while on a visit to the United States. He discussed various aspects of the ongoing tensions between the two countries:
EAM #SJaishankar said the ongoing situation in #Canada should not be regarded as normal, and made it clear that India does not require lessons from others on the concept of freedom of speech.https://t.co/05l9itwE2L
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) September 30, 2023
Freedom of Expression and Incitement to Violence
S. Jaishankar emphasized that while India values freedom of expression, it should not extend to incitement of violence. This was seen as a response to the pro-Khalistan protests and incidents of violence against Indian diplomats and missions, particularly in Canada.
Canada’s Position on Pro-Khalistan Protests
In response to Canada’s stance on the pro-Khalistan protests in the country, S. Jaishankar questioned the appropriateness of Canada’s position. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had asserted that Canada would defend freedom of expression and peaceful protest but also work to prevent violence and push back against hatred.
Read more:-EAM Jaishankar Condemns Canada’s Crime Wave
India’s Diplomatic Concerns
S. Jaishankar expressed concerns about the safety of Indian diplomats, embassies, and citizens in Canada, who have faced intimidation and violence. He posed a rhetorical question to the international community, asking how they would react if they were in India’s position, dealing with such incidents.
India’s Dialogue with the US
S. Jaishankar confirmed that India raised the issue during his visit to the United States. He described it as an ongoing conversation and highlighted that India and the US have a multifaceted relationship with various areas of cooperation.
Permissiveness Towards Terrorism
The Indian minister criticized what he called “permissiveness” in Canada regarding terrorism, extremism, and violence. He mentioned that some extradition requests from India have not been responded to by Canada, despite clear connections of individuals and organizations to illegal activities in India.
Suspension of Visa Operations
S. Jaishankar discussed the temporary suspension of visa operations to Canada. He mentioned that this action was taken because the Canadian side had made it difficult for Indian missions to operate smoothly, given the continuous intimidation faced by Indian diplomatic personnel in Canada.
India’s Response to Allegations
Regarding the allegations made by Canada about India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, S. Jaishankar clarified that these allegations do not represent the Indian government’s policy. He mentioned that India is open to reviewing any specific and relevant information shared by the Canadian side.
Terming the Situation a “Deadlock”
S. Jaishankar disagreed with the characterization of the situation as a “deadlock.” He explained that the Indian government is willing to engage in discussions with Canada if they provide specific and relevant information regarding the allegations. He also emphasized that incidents should not be treated in isolation, and the broader context should be considered.
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