India has accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of “damaging” ties between the two countries amid a diplomatic row over recent comments made by Canadian officials on the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.
The diplomatic spat began after Trudeau expressed concerns about the farmers’ protests in India during a virtual event last week. He stated that Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and expressed solidarity with the farmers who have been protesting against new agricultural laws passed by the Indian government.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded swiftly to Trudeau’s comments, calling them “unwarranted” and “ill-informed” and accusing him of interfering in India’s internal affairs. The ministry also summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to India to convey its displeasure over the remarks.
In a strongly worded statement, the ministry said that “such actions, if continued, will have a seriously damaging impact on the relationship between India and Canada.”
The Canadian government has defended Trudeau’s comments, with Foreign Minister Marc Garneau stating that Canada supports the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. He also reiterated Canada’s commitment to upholding human rights around the world.
The farmers’ protests in India have been ongoing for over two months, with tens of thousands of farmers camping out on the outskirts of the capital, New Delhi, demanding the repeal of the new agricultural laws. The Indian government has said that the laws are necessary to modernize the country’s agricultural sector and provide better opportunities for farmers.
The diplomatic row between India and Canada comes at a time when the two countries have been working to strengthen their bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. Canada is also home to a large Indian diaspora, with over a million people of Indian origin living in the country.
It remains to be seen how the fallout from this diplomatic spat will impact the relationship between India and Canada in the long term. Both countries have strong economic and cultural ties, and it is in their mutual interest to resolve any differences and continue to work together towards common goals.
In the meantime, both governments will need to engage in constructive dialogue and diplomacy to overcome this latest hurdle and move forward in a positive and cooperative manner. It is important for both countries to find common ground and address any concerns through peaceful and diplomatic means, rather than allowing tensions to escalate further.