A day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jibe and acknowledged a tonal shift in relations with India, New Delhi on Thursday reiterated its core concerns surrounding separatists and anti-India elements operating within Canada.#WATCH | On Canada, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, Our position has been quite consistent. And whenever this has been raised, we have highlighted, how we see the problem. The core issue remains the space that is given to extremists and terrorists and, anti-India elements… pic.twitter.com/QvlGIIMgzr— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023Arindam Bagchi highlights Indias stanceThe Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, highlighted Indias stance, stating, The space that is given to extremists, terrorists and anti-India elements in that country remains the primary area of friction between the two nations.This statement comes in response to Trudeaus comments on Wednesday, suggesting a potential understanding from India regarding Canadas openness to collaboration on the issue. Trudeau hinted at a shift away from India, referring to the recent US indictment implicating Indian government officials in a murder plot against separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.However, Bagchis response offered no indication of reciprocated change, instead reiterating Indias demand for Canadian action against extremist elements misusing freedom of speech and expression on its soil.Arindam Bagchi, added, I would not like to say whether they have noted a shift or not. Certainly, our positions have remained consistent and we would hope that they would take action on such extremist elements that are misusing freedom of speech and expression from their country.Diplomatic ties between India and CanadaThe diplomatic tension between the two nations began when Trudeau publicly accused Indian agents of involvement in the 2022 killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India denied the allegations, further souring the relationship.What were the accusations of Justin TrudeauEarlier on Wednesday, the Canadian Prime Minister said, I think there is a beginning of an understanding that they cannot bluster their way through this and there is an openness to collaborating in a way that perhaps they were less open before.Furthermore he added, There is an understanding that maybe, maybe just churning out attacks against Canada is not going to make this problem go away. We do not want to be in a situation of having a fight with India right now over this, While India has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the US claims, it has also criticised Canadas lack of evidence in its own accusations against Indian agents.
