NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has affirmed that Canadian politics has given space to Khalistani forces and also allowed them to indulge in activities that adversely impact bilateral relations between India and Canada.
He expressed concern that these actions are not in the interest of either country.
In an interview, Jaishankar said, “The issue at heart is the fact that in Canadian politics, these Khalistani forces have been given a lot of space and allowed to indulge in activities which, I think, are damaging the relationship, and are clearly not in India’s interest, and not in Canada’s interest either. But unfortunately, that is the state of their politics,” Jaishankar said.
The External Affairs Minister also clarified that the G20 summit in New Delhi had no relation to the Khalistani issue in Canada.
He added, “Getting everybody around on a G20 has nothing to do with the Khalistan issue in Canada. The Khalistan issue is not new. It has existed for years…I can explain my government, my prime minister. It’s not for me to speculate on other prime ministers.”
Diplomatic relations between India and Canada are facing a significant strain due to a very vocal pro-Khalistan lobby in Canada threatening Indian diplomats posted in the country, raising concerns about the future of the bilateral partnership.