External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (26 October) said that India outrightly rejects the manner in which the Canadian government targeted Indian diplomats amid ongoing row over Ottawa’s allegations of New Delhi’s involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Addressing an event in Pune, Jaishankar said that India had initially raised concerns about organised crime in Canada, but the issue was overlooked due to a long-standing permissive atmosphere.
“We completely reject the manner in which the Canadian government targeted our High Commissioner and diplomats,” he declared, responding to the recent actions that have seen Canadian authorities naming India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, and several other diplomats as ‘persons of interest’ in their investigation.
This diplomatic crisis intensified this month after Canada named Indian diplomats in the murder, leading India to recall Verma along with five other diplomats and expel six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
The situation deteriorated further with Canada hinting at potential sanctions, a move Jaishankar criticised as baseless and damaging.
Jaishankar also reflected on the broader political climate in Canada, suggesting that a “small minority” has disproportionately influenced the political scene to the detriment of bilateral relations.
“Unfortunately, the politics of that country is giving that political lobby, perhaps a degree of play which I would argue is not just bad for us and our relationship. I would argue it is bad for Canada itself,” he remarked.
In addition to the ongoing dispute with Canada, Jaishankar highlighted India’s diplomatic strides on the global stage, particularly its balanced engagement with both Russia and Ukraine amidst their ongoing conflict.
He emphasised India’s unique position and capability to engage with both nations’ leaders, underscoring the country’s growing influence in global diplomacy.