NEW DELHI/TORONTO: India on Thursday warned the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom that the activities of Chalistani elements and violent extremists on their territory could damage bilateral relations and have security implications for those countries.
India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said (Portal file photo): {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar outlined the Indian government’s position four days after a float depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was part of an event organized by pro-Khalistan elements in Greater Toronto (GTA) Canada.
The car portrayed the assassination as “revenge” for Operation Bluestar, the military action ordered by Gandhi in 1984 to expel separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale and his followers from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
It sparked anger and outrage in India.
Jaishankar, speaking at a special media briefing on India’s foreign policy during the Modi government’s nine-year tenure, said the action was tied to the larger issue of “space that Canada has consistently allowed for Khalistan elements.”
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“Honestly…we can’t understand why anyone would want to do that, aside from the requirements of electoral banking policy…I mean, you can imagine they’re learning about history and wouldn’t like to repeat that history,” said he, apparently referring to Canada having been an important base for Chalistan elements in the past.
“It’s not just an incident, egregious as it is. I think there is a bigger underlying problem with this space given to separatists, extremists and people who advocate violence. And I think it’s not good for the relationship and I think it’s not good for Canada.”
Jaishankar’s comments came after the Indian High Commission in Ottawa on Wednesday sent a formal memo to Canada’s foreign ministry expressing its displeasure at the float, which featured mannequins depicting Gandhi and her assassins, two members of her security detail , represented.
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He said India’s opposition to activities by Khalistan elements is not limited to Canada as the Indian side has raised the matter with Britain and Australia. He pointed out that he had criticized the British authorities for failing to protect the Indian mission in London when “Khalistan supporters took down our flag during a protest in March” and there had been “some problems in Australia”.
“Our point is this – they [pro-Khalistan elements] are a very small minority. We don’t think they hold any meaningful opinion. Our appeal to these governments is please understand that these are marginal elements, they are extremist elements, they are not good for you, they are not good for us, they are not good for relations. It’s not an embassy limited to Canada,” he said.
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Jaishankar also dismissed Canadian National Security Advisor Jody Thomas’s comments that India was among the top sources of foreign interference in Canada. He said the Hindi phrase that came to mind when he heard the comments was “ulta chor kotwal ko daante” (the thief reprimands the policeman).
“If someone has a complaint, we have a complaint about Canada. What I’ve already said – the space they give to Khalistanis and violent extremists. I was very stunned by what I heard,” he added.
Speaking at a conference organized by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute in Ottawa on Friday, Thomas said, “When I talk about foreign interference and economic security, I’m now talking about a range of state actors and non-state proxies.” These include Russia, Iran, India. However, China is the actor most often raised on these issues, and that comes as no surprise to anyone.”
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The “Shaheedi” chariot was part of a parade held to mark the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar and had a sign on it that read “Revenge for the attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”, referring to the storming of the Golden Temple alluded to.
A senior Indian official described the incident as “unacceptable” and said: “You cannot violate freedom of expression in this way and glorify the assassination of the leader of a democratic nation.”
Canada’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Cameron Mackay, also condemned the action. He tweeted, “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada celebrating the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.” There is no place in Canada for hate or the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities.”
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The float and parade are related to organizations based in the Greater Toronto City of Brampton, which has long been considered a hotbed for Chalistan elements. The activities of these elements in Canada have proved to be a major nuisance to relations with India, more so than in the UK and Australia. Indian officials have also highlighted the links between Toronto-based Khalistan elements and the Pakistani Mission to Canada over the years.
A senior Indian official pointed out that developments such as Thomas’s listing of India among the authoritarian states will result in Ottawa undoing the positive momentum that has been developing in the bilateral relationship, particularly through a productive visit by trade ministers Piyush Goyal last month.
Thomas’s comments drew criticism from the Indo-Canadian community. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians tweeted: “Indo-Canadians are politically marginalized and face racism and religious bigotry in everyday life. Genuine citizen grievances and concerns must not be confused with foreign interference.”
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Related to the action, senior journalist Balraj Deol of Brampton tweeted, “Does it help Canada’s ‘Indo-Pacific Strategy’?” City of Brampton on June 4th. Jody Thomas might think about it!”
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