Bhubaneswar. This matter is once again in the headlines after the arrest of three people on charges of murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canada has been blaming India in this matter, while Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s reaction has also come to light on this matter. He said on Saturday that whatever is happening in Canada is mostly due to internal politics there and has nothing to do with India.
Jaishankar said this in response to the question why Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is criticizing India. Speaking to senior journalists here, the External Affairs Minister said that the country needs a strong and active leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reforms in various sectors to make a ‘developed India’.
The Indian Foreign Minister said, ‘India’s image at the global level is now much better than before… Canada is an exception. You have seen that the leadership of various countries praise India and its Prime Minister. He said that a section of Khalistan supporters are using Canada’s democracy, creating lobbies and becoming a vote bank.
Jaishankar cornered Trudeau
The Foreign Minister said that the ruling party in Canada does not have a majority in the Parliament and some parties are dependent on pro-Khalistan leaders. He said, ‘We have asked them many times not to give visas, recognition or place in the political arena to such people who are creating problems for them (Canadians), for us and in our relations, but the Canadian government has done nothing. Did.’ He said that India demanded the extradition of 25 people, most of whom are Khalistan supporters, but they paid no heed.
In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau had accused Indian agents of ‘potentially’ being involved in Nijjar’s murder, after which relations between India and Canada were strained. India had rejected Trudeau’s allegations.
The Foreign Minister said, ‘Canada did not provide any evidence. They do not share any evidence with us in some cases, police agencies do not cooperate with us. It is their political compulsion to blame India. Elections are going to be held in Canada and they are doing vote bank politics. He said that the Prime Minister of India is highly respected by the heads of many countries.
‘Things changed after Modi ji’s arrival’
Jaishankar said, ‘Recently, the Prime Minister of a country in the Pacific Ocean region touched Modi’s feet while the Prime Minister of Australia called Modi ‘Boss’. Even (US) President (Joe) Biden wanted to know the reason for Modi’s popularity. He said, ‘Things have changed after Modi ji came to power (at the Centre). You saw Uri, Balakot. Therefore, we have made it very clear today that any threat of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, cross-border terrorism will receive a suitable response from India.
On the border dispute with China, Jaishankar said, ‘In the last four years, an attempt was made to put pressure on us by gathering a large number of troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). We have given a strong response to this. Today thousands of Indian Army soldiers are deployed on the LAC with China. We are very clear, we are there, we are strong, we are deployed.
On the Nepal government’s move to remove its Rs 100 note from circulation which has a map showing the disputed areas on Indian territory, Jaishankar said that this is not going to change the situation on the ground.