India Summons Canadian Diplomat Over Pro-Khalistan Slogans Raised In Presence Of Trudeau At Toronto Event

India strongly condemned pro-Khalistan chants at a public event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, summoning the Canadian deputy high commissioner.

India summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner on Monday, expressing strong disapproval over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans during a public gathering in Toronto, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denounced the chanting of such slogans as alarming, highlighting the concerning political tolerance towards separatism and extremism within Canada. According to the MEA, these actions not only strain India-Canada relations but also foster an environment of violence and criminality detrimental to Canadian citizens.

In an official statement, the MEA declared, "The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada. The Government of India's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event."

The statement further iterated, "This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens."

Pro-Khalistan Slogans Raised At Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's Toronto Event

The incident occurred during an event in Toronto on Sunday, coinciding with the Khalsa Day parade, where loud pro-Khalistan chants resonated as Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau approached the podium to address the Canadian Sikh community.

This incident comes as existing strains in diplomatic relations between India and Canada, which were exacerbated by the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, leading to accusations from Trudeau against purported "agents of the Government of India" for his killing.

During his speech at the event, Trudeau reaffirmed his government's commitment to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of the Sikh community in Canada. "To the nearly 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage, we will always be there to protect your rights and freedoms and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination," stated the Canadian PM.