Canada takes India's warning over Pro-Khalistan posters seriously, assures safety of Indian diplomats

Hours after India warns Canada over the threat poster released by Khalistanis, now Justine Trudeau-led country swang into the action and released a statement saying it takes its “obligations regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously”.

 

 

It further terms the “promotional material” circulating ahead of the ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally ‘unacceptable.

 

In a statement released on Twitter on Monday evening, Melanie Joly, Canada’s minister of foreign affairs, said, “Canada takes its obligations under Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8th, which are unacceptable.”

 

The threat perception over the security of Indian missions and envoys has escalated after pro-Khalistan elements put out a poster with violent imagery, the words ‘Kill India’ and photographs of its High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verna, Consul General in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava and Consul General in Vancouver Manish.

 

 

 

A poster titled “Kill India,” released by Pro-Khalistani leaders in Canada, accusing Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and Consul General of India in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava, of assassinating Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has sparked widespread outrage among the Punjabi diaspora in Canada.

 

Following this, India had asked Canada and other nations to not give space to Khalistanis, saying, "This will affect our relations." While issuing a warning, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar commented on the ongoing controversy, saying it will impact bilateral relations.

 

“We have already requested our partner countries like Canada, the US, the UK and Australia where sometimes Khalistani activities happen, not to give space to Khalistanis. Because their (Khalistanis) radical, extremist thinking is neither good for us nor for them nor our relations,” India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said while speaking with the reporters on the sidelines of a BJP outreach programme on Monday.

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