Delhi summons Canada envoy

INDIA last Friday (4) summoned Canada’s ambassador and warned of serious damage to diplomatic ties after prime minister Justin Trudeau commented on growing protests by farmers, authorities said.

Trudeau however refused to back down, saying that Ottawa would always back the rights of peaceful demonstrators in India.

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest at new laws on farm produce trading.

There have been clashes with police and Trudeau released a Twitter video last week calling the events “concerning” and saying farmers should be allowed to stage peaceful protests.

The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, an Indian state which accounts for many migrants in Canada.

India’s foreign ministry said that it summoned Canada’s top diplomat for a warning over “unacceptable interference” in India’s internal affairs.

Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” said a statement.

The ministry said “ill-informed” comments by Trudeau and other Canadian politicians had encouraged “extremist” gatherings in front of Indian missions in Canada.

“We expect the Canadian government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism,” it said.

In Ottawa last Friday, Trudeau told reporters: “Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and human rights anywhere around the world.”

He added that he was “pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue” between farmers and the government.