Responding to the comments received by the Canadian Prime Minister on the farmers’ protest front, India sharply warned its High Commissioner of “serious damage” to the two countries relation if the acts are continued.
Condemning Justin Trudeau’s vocal involvement in the “internal affairs” of India, the Centre sent a formal statement through the Canadian envoy by summoning him on Friday.
The strong objection came following their PM’s remarks on the ongoing farmers’ protest in India where he stressed upon the protection of the rights of its citizens.
It dint go well with India as it pounced on the Canadian leader, parliamentarians and other ministers calling it an “inacceptable interference” in their domestic affairs.
The foreign ministry’s official statement said, “Comments by Canadian leaders on Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs. Such actions, if continued, will have a seriously damaging impact on bilateral ties.”
It further said that the remarks have allegedly attracted groups of “extremist activities” to question outside the nation’s High Commission and Indian Consulates in Canada, acting as a threat to the national security.
Urging it to avoid any future incidences as such, the government said, “We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism.”
During an event on Monday this week held to celebrate Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Mr. Trudeau had acknowledged the farmers’ strikes in India while also extending his support towards their movement.
The 48-year-old expressed his concern for the family and friends of the participants of the protest and drew attention towards the rights of the citizens of a country for a peaceful protest.
“Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest,” the Canadian PM stated.
With this, Mr. Trudeau became the first global leader to speak regarding the protests of farmers in the national capital which marks its 10th day today.
However, India was quick to reply to the leader, calling the comments “ill-informed” and “unwarranted”.
Anurag Srivastava, spokesman of the foreign ministry of India had said, “We have seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. Such comments are unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country. It is also best that diplomatic conversations are not misrepresented for political purposes.”
Braving tear gas, water cannons and lathicharge from policemen, the joint force of thousands of farmers managed to enter Delhi from various states including Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and others to urge the government for withdrawing its contentious new farm laws.
Until now, 3 meetings between the government and 32 farmers’ representatives have been concluded, however, due to no mutual agreement no progress could made in the demands.
The only demand of the farmers is to revoke the 3 laws that will force them to be at the mercy of big business houses. The government, though, offered to make changes to the laws but not withdraw them. A 4th discussion is slated to be held on December 5th.
