Have Always Taken Serious Action: Canada PM Trudeau On India's Concerns Over Khalistani Activities

Trudeau, refuting charges that his government was soft on Khalistani supporters, said he was always pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to Amritsar

Source : Getty

Amid anger in India over increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said his government had always taken "serious action" against terrorism, PTI reported. Refuting allegations that his government was soft on Khalistani supporters, Trudeau said the government was always pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms.

Trudeau's remarks come on a day MEA condemned posters inciting violence against Indian diplomats surfaced in Canada. On Monday, India summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi over the recent spate of activities by pro-Khalistani elements.

Replying to a question by a reporter during a press conference in Ottawa, Trudeau said, "They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will."

"We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something that we have but we will always make sure that we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms," Trudeau said.

READ | Freedom Of Expression Should Not Be Misused: MEA On Khalistan Posters Targeting Diplomats In Canada

The Canadian PM made the remarks when he was asked about a parade float, put up by Khalistani supporters, that depicted former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Marking the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, the tableau showed Indira Gandhi with blood on her clothes and a poster that read, "Revenge of attack on Shri Darbar Sahib".

On Thursday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said space must not be given to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression.

"We condemn this. We have taken up the issue with Canadian govt. We've seen media reports about comments by PM Trudeau. The issue is not about freedom of expression but its misuse for advocating violence, propagating separatism and legitimising terrorism," Bagchi said after pro-Khalistani posters labelling some Indian diplomats as "killers" emerged in Canada.

At a media briefing, Bagchi also asserted that the safety of Indian diplomats and the country's missions was of utmost importance for the government. 

Earlier this week, Canada assured India of the safety of its diplomats. "Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said while stressing that the actions of a few individuals "do not speak for an entire community or Canada".