Amid the tensions between India and Canada over the killing of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada's envoy to the United Nations, Robert Rae raised the issue of “foreign interference,” adding that the rules of state-to-state relations cannot be bent for "political expediency." Robert Rae’s remarks came at a time when Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
During his address to world leaders at the UN General Assembly, Rae said, “Like many people in your countries, I can assure you that Canadians are also worried about the cost of living, artificial intelligence, foreign interference, misinformation, and disinformation. Canadians are also experiencing climate and environmental crises.".
“We also have to uphold the values of free and democratic societies...we cannot bend the rules of state-to-state relations for political expediency,” he said. Rae added, “Because we’ve seen and continue to see the extent to which democracies are under threat through various means of foreign interference". He also said that countries can succeed only if they come together.
“Before coming here, I had the opportunity to visit the Indigenous Council of Leaders in North Ontario, Canada. They had an effective slogan, which was quite simple. They talked about the power of unity and dignity of difference…Sometimes people talk about the failure of the United Nations. I point out to them, that it is actually the divided nations that are failing. When we are united we succeed, when we are divided we fail…we only succeed if we come together,” he said.
Canadian Envoy Rae On Foreign Diaspora In Canada
The Canadian envoy further spoke about foreign diaspora in Canada, and said that admitting more people made the country a ‘better place’. “…In Canada, we decided to admit more people into our country than ever before, because we have found that immigration has made us a better country, and has also made us a better place to live,” Rae added.
If You Have Something Specific, Relevant, Let Us Know: S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that if Canada provides specific information in connection with Nijjar’s killing, action will be taken. He added, "we are open to looking at it."
Speaking at the ‘Discussion at Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York, Jaishankar said, “We told the Canadians that this is not the government of India's policy. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it...The picture is not complete without the context in a way”.
He further stated that there has been a lot of “organised crime” in Canada in the last few years, and the Indian government has given a lot of information to Canada regarding this. “…In the last few years, Canada actually has seen a lot of organized crime, relating to the secessionist forces, organized crime, violence and extremism. They're all very, very deeply mixed up. So in fact, we have been talking about specifics and information. We have given them a lot of information about organized crime and leadership, which operates out of Canada. There are a large number of extradition requests. There are terrorist leaders, who have been identified,” he said.