On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized Canada for its hypocrisy, pointing out the disparity in treatment given by Western countries to its diplomats and diplomats from other countries on their soil.
Jaishankar highlights Canada’s double-standards in handling pro-Khalistan elements
Jaishankar addressed the current row with Canada following Ottawa’s demand for India to withdraw the diplomatic immunity of its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was identified as a ‘person of interest’ in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada’s action escalated the conflict, leading to both parties ejecting diplomats.
The Minister pointed out Canada’s hypocrisy in gathering information abroad while limiting foreign diplomats from doing the same within its borders.
“They (Canada) seem to have a problem if Indian diplomats are even trying to make efforts to find out what is happening in Canada on matters which directly pertain to their welfare and security. But look what happens in India. Canadian diplomats have no problem going around collecting information on our military, police, profiling people, targeting people to be stopped in Canada. So apparently, the licence that they give themselves is totally different from the kind of restrictions that they impose on diplomats in Canada,” Jaishankar said at the NDTV World Summit.
EAM accuses Canada of hiding behind ‘freedom of speech’
Jaishankar also criticized Canada for using “freedom of speech” as an excuse when Indian leaders and diplomats are threatened by anti-India elements in the country.
“When we tell them you have people openly threatening leaders of India, diplomats of India, their answer is freedom of speech. When Indian journalists make social media comments, if you threaten the Indian High Commissioner, he is supposed to accept it as freedom of speech. But if an Indian journalist says the Canadian High Commissioner walked out of South Block looking very grumpy, it is apparently foreign interference,” he said.
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Jaishankar reacts to Canada’s foreign media interference allegations
Jaishankar responded to the Canadian government’s allegations of foreign interference by Indian media outlets and attempting “information manipulation”. One of the instances of foreign media involvement mentioned by a Canadian commission is India Today’s 5Live news analysis program, hosted by Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor, broadcasted on September 13.
“There is this thing that we will do it differently at home. We will do it differently abroad. We will do it our way, but that doesn’t apply to you. I think these are the larger adjustments which have to happen in this changing world,” Jaishankar said.
Canada accused Indian government agents of being involved in operations against South Asian Canadians, particularly members of pro-Khalistan movement.
During an interview with a private broadcaster in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, the departing Indian ambassador, also pointed out Western double standards in relation to foreign diplomatic missions.
Sanjay Verma stated that he and his coworkers were keeping an eye on pro-Khalistan and anti-India groups in Canada, but without resorting to undercover means.
“If the Canadian politicians are so novice that they want me not to know what my enemies are doing here, then I’m sorry, they don’t know what international relations is all about,” Verma said.
