Terming the violence by Khalistani separatists at a Hindu temple in Brampton deeply concerning, foreign minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said the incident again showed how “political space” is being given to “extremist forces” in Canada.
He said this in response to queries related to the incident that took place in Canada’s Brampton Sunday, during a joint press briefing with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Canberra.
The incident took place in the middle of Canada’s diplomatic spat with India over allegations by Ottawa that Indian govt officials authorised attacks on Sikhs in Canada. India has maintained that Canada never provided any evidence to back its claims.
“You would have seen a statement first by our official spokesperson and also the expression of concern by our PM,” Jaishankar said.
“Let me make three comments, one, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada, for us… our diplomats under surveillance, is something which is unacceptable,” he said.
“The third is the incident which the gentleman spoke about, do look at the video. I think that will tell in a way the political space which is being given to extremist forces there,” the minister added.
Wong said that she discussed with Jaishankar allegations that India targeted Sikh activists in Canada. “We have made clear our concerns… We have said that we respect Canada’s judicial process,” Wong said.
“We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do and we have a principled position in relation to matters such as the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and also, frankly, the sovereignty of all countries.”
Australia has close intelligence-sharing ties with Canada as members of the Five Eyes alliance that also includes the United States, Britain and New Zealand.