India Reacts to Canada PM's Remark on Threats to Diplomats, Says 'Free Speech Misused'
India has reacted to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's remarks on Khalistani threats to Indian diplomats in his country, saying that the issue is not about freedom of expression but its misuse for advocating violence.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that Trudeau's remarks "trivialize the gravity of threats posed to the safety and security of diplomats" and "give credence to the malicious propaganda" of Khalistani separatists.
The statement said that India has repeatedly conveyed to Canada its concerns about the "activities of extremist elements" in the country and that it expects Canada to take "necessary action to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomats and their families."
Trudeau had said on Wednesday that Canada is a "diverse country" and that it has "freedom of expression." He said that he understands India's concerns about the threats to its diplomats, but that he believes it is important to protect freedom of expression, even when it is used to express views that are offensive or harmful.
The Indian government's reaction to Trudeau's remarks has been met with mixed reactions in India. Some have praised the government for standing up to Canada and for calling out the misuse of freedom of expression. Others have criticized the government for overreacting and for damaging relations with Canada.
The issue of Khalistani separatism is a sensitive one in India. The Sikh separatist movement was active in the 1980s and early 1990s, and it led to a number of violent incidents, including the 1984 storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by Indian security forces.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of Khalistani separatism, and there have been a number of threats and attacks against Indian officials in Canada. In 2021, a Canadian man was arrested and charged with threatening to kill Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Indian government has said that it is committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens, including Sikhs. However, it has also said that it will not tolerate any activities that threaten the unity and integrity of the country.
The issue of Khalistani separatism is likely to continue to be a source of tension between India and Canada. It remains to be seen how the two countries will resolve this issue and ensure the safety and security of their diplomats.
