India completely rejects the direction of our high commissioner by the Government of Canada: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during an event titled ‘Growing Opportunities in the Current Global Environment’, in Pune, Maharashtra. | Photo Credit: PTI

“India first raised the presence of organized crime in Canada but the issue was ignored due to the enabling climate for a long time,” said External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Saturday (October 26, 2024), rejecting the Minister’s direction. His High Commissioner and ambassadors are Mr Trudeau’s government.

Speaking at an event in Pune on the topic ‘Emerging Opportunities in the Current Global Situation’, the politician-turned-politician said that it is clear that India will take a tough stance, taken when its national interests, integrity and sovereignty are affected.

“We absolutely reject the manner in which the Canadian Government directed our High Commissioner and diplomats,” Mr Jaishankar said in response to a question.

Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was declared a “person of interest” by Canada on October 13, 2024 in its investigation into the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen declared a Khalistani terrorist by India.

Before Canada could take further action, New Delhi recalled Mr Verma and five other diplomats, also named similarly.

In response, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats. The conflict escalated when Ottawa raised possible sanctions against India, which dismissed the allegations, including those by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canadian authorities have also accused Indian diplomats of involvement in “murders, extortion and acts of violence against Khalistan followers and attempted to link the Bishnoi gang to unspecified criminal activities on Canadian soil.”

“The issue is that there are a few people out there but they have made a name for themselves that is heard as a big voice in politics,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the politics of that country gives that political party, perhaps a level of play that I would argue is not just bad for us and our relationship. I would argue that it is bad for Canada itself,” said Jaishankar.

He said that India had first suggested the presence of organized crime in Canada.

“We told them but they did not listen. This happened because of the spirit of indolence for a long time. I think this is an issue that affects a certain political class or a group of political forces. We would have hoped that it would be more reasonable, more humble, more responsible,” added Mr. Jaishankar.

Speaking about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, he said it has been going on for three years now.

“How many countries in the world had the ability to visit Moscow and meet Vladimir Putin and to visit Ukraine to meet (President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy? The world thinks that India has this ability. India stood up and spoke on this issue,” said the Foreign Minister.

He also said that the countries with the best human resources will be the strongest in the future. It was during India’s tenure in the G20 that the African Union was admitted as a member of the G20.