Double standards: EAM Jaishankar slams Canadian hypocrisy amid ongoing tensions over Nijjar case | VIDEO

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed serious concerns about Canada’s "inconsistent standards" in diplomatic relations during his remarks in an interaction. He criticized Canada's approach to freedom of speech, emphasizing a disparity in the treatment of threats against Indian diplomats compared to Canadian officials. "The license that they give themselves is totally different from the kind of restrictions they impose on diplomats in Canada," Jaishankar stated, highlighting the apparent hypocrisy in their diplomatic interactions.

Escalating diplomatic tensions

Jaishankar's comments come amid heightened tensions between India and Canada, particularly following the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats from India. This move was in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims implicating Indian government agents in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. "When Indian journalists comment on the Canadian High Commissioner, it’s considered foreign interference," Jaishankar remarked, underscoring the apparent double standards at play.

#WATCH | Delhi: At a Summit, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says "Where Canada is concerned, I think there are some very specific issues...Canada asked us to subject our High Commissioner to a police inquiry and we chose to withdraw the High Commissioner and diplomats. They seem to have a… pic.twitter.com/KPMGgYzzFe

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2024

A Changing Global Order

Reflecting on the broader geopolitical landscape, Jaishankar noted the shifting dynamics between Western and non-Western nations. "The world order after 1945 was heavily Western. What has happened in the last 20–25 years is a rebalancing towards multipolarity," he explained. Jaishankar believes that non-Western countries are now playing a more significant role on the global stage, which is challenging traditional Western hegemony.

Concerns over diplomatic conduct

Focusing specifically on Canada, Jaishankar pointed out the troubling behavior of Canadian diplomats in India. He stated, "Canadian diplomats have no problem collecting information on our military and profiling people." This comment highlights the contentious nature of diplomatic engagement between the two countries.