New Delhi: India on Monday strongly protested ‘Khalistan’ slogans at a public event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. India also summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to the Ministry of External Affairs to raised its concerns over the matter.
“The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada,” Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said.
Expressing strong discontent, India emphasized that such provocative actions would not only strain India-Canada relations but also fuel a climate of violence and lawlessness in Canada, ultimately harming its own citizens.
MEA has released a statement expressing deep concern and issuing a strong protest regarding the incident. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) MEA spokesperson wrote, “India strongly protests ‘Khalistan’ slogans at a public event attended by Canadian leaders.”
“The Government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” MEA in a statement said.
Earlier, at the Khalsa Day Celebrations that took place in Toronto on Sunday, loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.
Slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” were heard at the event in which, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present, as per reports.
