India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned Monday a “deliberate” assault allegedly by Sikh activists in Canada, as bilateral relations between New Delhi and Ottawa hit a brand new low.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada,” Modi stated in a press release on X. “Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats.”
Canada is house to the most important Sikh group exterior of India and contains activists for “Khalistan,” a fringe separatist motion looking for an unbiased state for the spiritual minority carved out of Indian territory.
Relations between India and Canada nosedived after Ottawa accused the Indian authorities of orchestrating the 2023 killing in Vancouver of 45-year-old naturalized Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan activist.
While India’s overseas ministry has repeatedly denied accusations by Canada, and New Delhi has accused Ottawa for many years of harboring fringe spiritual extremists, these have been Modi’s first feedback on the livid diplomatic row.
“Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” Modi added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier stated that the violence on the Hindu temple on Sunday in Brampton, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Toronto, was “unacceptable.”
Video circulating on social media seems to point out people carrying yellow Khalistan flags clashing with a rival group, together with individuals holding Indian flags. There have been additionally remoted fist fights, in response to movies.
India’s overseas ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal had earlier stated the assault on the temple was carried “perpetrated by extremists and separatists”, and requested Canada to “ensure that all places of worship are protected” from such assaults.
“We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted,” he added.
“We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada”.
Beyond Nijjar’s killing, Canada has accused India of directing a broad marketing campaign focusing on Sikh activists on Canadian soil, which Ottawa says has included intimidation, threats and violence.
Trudeau charged the federal government of Prime Minister Modi with violating Canadian sovereignty.
India has rejected the allegations.
On Saturday, New Delhi denied that inside minister Amit Shah had plotted to focus on Sikh activists on Canadian soil, and stated it had formally rebuked Ottawa over the “absurd and baseless” allegation.
New Delhi and Ottawa earlier this month every expelled the opposite’s ambassador and different senior diplomats.
Source: www.dailysabah.com