The Canadian prime minister, who had spoken for protesting farmers, said he was pleased to see a movement towards dialogue.
Canadian Prime Minister insisted that Canada will always stand by the right of peaceful protests anywhere in the world.
This is coming after India summoned the Canadian envoy and warned of a possible damage to the two countries’ relationship. Trudeau also added that he was pleased to see a move made towards dialogue.
India on Friday summoned the Canadian high commissioner Nadir Patel and issued a démarche over remarks made by Trudeau on the protests by lakhs of farmers against the three farm laws brought by the Centre.
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Trudeau during a press interaction was asked by a reporter for his response to the Canadian envoy being summoned and warned of damage to bilateral relationship, he responded by saying, ‘Canada will always stand for the rights of peaceful protests anywhere in the world and we are pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue.’
When the reporter persisted and asked if he was worried about the harm to ties, Trudeau reiterated, ‘Canada will always stand for the rights of peaceful protests and human rights anywhere in the world.’
According to unnamed sources, Patel went to the foreign ministry at around 12.30 pm and was informed by India that ‘comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.’
The Ministry of External Affairs further ‘cautioned that if such actions are continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada.’
It has been noted that comments by Trudeau and other Canadian politicians ‘have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security.’ The MEA press statement added that India expects ‘the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism.
Furthermore, Trudeau had in a Facebook live event on Monday stated that he wanted to recognise the news coming out of India about the protests by farmers.
‘The situation is concerning, and we are all very worried about family and friends. I know that’s the reality for many of you,’ the prime minister said.
He also stressed that Canada stood for peaceful protests and had conveyed to the Indian government the need for engaging in a dialogue.
‘Let me remind you that Canada will always be there to defend the right to peaceful protest. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we have reached out through multiple means directly to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns,’ said Trudeau at the virtual interaction to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
Indian farmers, largely from Punjab and Haryana, are in a sit-down on the borders of New Delhi as part of protests against new Central farm laws. As they walked and rode through Haryana on November 26, they had to face water cannon, barbed wires, barricades and tear gas shells. Currently, farmer leaders are in talks with the Central government over their set of demands.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK