Canada Reiterates Its Commitment to Counter Terrorism and Extremism

The Canadian government has also made it clear that it does not support any separatist movement, whether it is in India or elsewhere Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 6 said that his government will continue to take "serious action" against terrorism and asserted that it is "wrong" to believe that it is soft on Khalistan supporters and terrorists in the country.

He made these remarks in response to a question following the incident in Greater Toronto Area last month, wherein a parade float depicted the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Trudeau said, "They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will."

He also highlighted that Canada is a diverse country and that freedom of expression is something that they have, but they will always make sure to push back against violence and extremism in all its forms.

The Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly also recently released a statement expressing her country's adherence to the Vienna Conventions and terming the "promotional material" circulating ahead of the Khalistan rally as "unacceptable".

Joly emphasised that the actions of a few individuals "do not speak for an entire community or Canada". India had summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.

India had asked the Canadian authorities to take appropriate measures in view of the planned protests by pro-Khalistan groups outside Indian missions in Canada on July 8. In response, Canada assured India of the safety of its diplomats.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India has asked its partner countries such as Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. not to give space to "extremist Khalistani ideology" as it is "not good" for relations. He also said that radical, extremist Khalistani ideology is not good for India or its partner countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government have made it clear that Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. They have also reiterated that they will take serious action against terrorism and will always push back against violence and extremism in all its forms.