Hardeep Singh Puri Warns Canada: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has strongly criticized Canada over the threats being received by Indian diplomats. He mentioned tragic incidents of the past like the murder of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre. Puri said that no country should tolerate such actions in the name of freedom of expression. He warned Canada that India’s response would be quick and well-organized.
Puri said that the safety of diplomats should be of paramount importance for all countries. He justified the recent statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In this statement, the Foreign Ministry had described Canada’s allegations as politically motivated. Puri said, “The security of any representative should be a matter of concern for all governments. I remember the Mhatre case, when I was in that country. I have seen those representing India facing threats and I myself have been a victim of this.”
‘India’s answer can shake Canada’
The Union Minister warned that once India responds properly, only then will Canada understand the weight of India. He said, “Our answers till now have been illustrative. They will understand when we make changes in the answers.”
What was India’s reaction to Canada’s allegations?
Tension between India and Canada increased when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in Parliament last year that he had found “strong evidence” of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Subsequently, India rejected Canada’s allegations, saying that these allegations were “vague” and an attempt was being made to blame India. A year later, on October 14, 2024, Canada once again started making the same old allegations.
Canada, through diplomatic communication, alleged that some Indian officials are ‘persons of interest’ in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. Person of interest means people who are connected to the incident or are suspects. Following this allegation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, and shortly thereafter summoned Canada’s Chargé d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler. In this meeting, India criticized the “targeting without evidence” of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats in Canada.