NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India’s ties with Canada continue to be “challenging” because of the political space provided by Ottawa to “secessionist elements who advocate an anti-India agenda”. The MEA added that New Delhi has “repeatedly” urged Canada to act against such individuals, and that mutual respect for “territorial integrity and sovereignty is a prerequisite” for stable bilateral relations.
Despite the strained relations, the MEA said that the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada remain a priority. “Issues faced by Indian nationals in Canada are brought to the attention of Canadian authorities whenever they arise, for swift redressal,” the MEA said in response to a parliamentary query on India-Canada relations.
“India has had, and continues to have a challenging relationship with Canada primarily because of the political space provided by the Canadian government to extremist and secessionist elements who advocate an anti-India agenda,” it added.
“Government of India has repeatedly urged the Canadian Government to take prompt and effective action against all anti-India elements operating from its soil,” the reply further added.
These elements, according to the ministry, have engaged in activities that threaten India’s sovereignty, including glorifying assassinations, issuing threats to Indian leaders, and holding “referendums” advocating the balkanisation of India.
“This includes preventing secessionist and extremist elements from glorifying the assassination of our leaders; issuing threats to our current political leadership and diplomats; disrespecting and vandalizing places of worship; and espousing for the balkanization of India by holding so-called “referendums,” the ministry said.
Tensions between the two countries escalated significantly following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, in British Columbia last year. Canadian authorities have accused India of involvement in the incident, allegations New Delhi has strongly refuted. The diplomatic fallout saw both nations expelling senior diplomats, further straining ties.
India has long criticised Canada for what it describes as Ottawa’s inaction against Khalistani supporters who seek to undermine India’s territorial integrity. These grievances include vandalism of places of worship, issuing threats to diplomats, and public displays glorifying violence against Indian leaders.
Last week, Canadian intelligence officials clarified that they have no evidence linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, or National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to any criminal activities within Canada. A statement from the Canadian government described any such suggestions as “speculative and inaccurate.”