Describing anti-India elements in Canada as “hardly a drop in the ocean”, Indian high commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma said only a handful of “boisterous elements” would like to harm India-Canada ties at any cost. His statement came a day after a militant group threatened for him to be called back and the Indian embassy in Ottawa to be “shut down”.
The threats were issued two days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. An unfazed Verma, however, exclusively told CNN-News18 that Canada is “strongly with India” and will continue to have strategic ties with the country.
“It’s a very small handful of boisterous elements who would like to harm Canada India relations at any cost and they are the ones going ahead and spreading lies… They are the ones going ahead with the so-called protest, referendum… When you count the number in the overall population of Canada, they are hardly a drop in the ocean and, therefore, are very small in number. Recently, when they crossed the red line of Canadian law, actions have been initiated,” he said.
On Canada not taking enough measures to stop “anti-India activity”, Verma said the Indian community had largely condemned the protests in front of the consulate in Toronto. “A couple of Khalistani elements were caught on the spot and handcuffed; this was frustrating for them (pro-Khalistan groups), as they have never seen this happen in the past,” he said.
Verma thanked the Canadian government for providing an intense security cover to him and other Indian diplomats, who were constantly receiving threats. He said they had not been stopped from carrying out their diplomatic activities in the country.
Talking more about the incident in Toronto, Verma said those trying to present a so-called referendum were looking for a government space to protest but were not allowed. On September 10, he said, they wanted to do it in a school but the permission for that was denied. “We can see that awareness (about such issues) among the general Canadian mass is on the rise. Rest assured, I and my beloved ‘Bharat’ are safe,” he added.
On September 10, during the G20 Leaders Summit, Prime Minister Modi had conveyed to Trudeau New Delhi’s concerns about “anti-India” activities of extremist elements in Canada, which were promoting secessionism.
The Canadian PM had a subdued presence at the event and was not even there at the official G20 gala dinner, as per Canadian media.
In fact, during his talks with Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Modi also said a relationship based on “mutual respect and trust” is essential for the progress of the India-Canada relationship.
The militant group that issued the threat said the Narendra Modi-led government was responsible for “disrespect” shown to Trudeau. The group said India should call its ambassador back “otherwise he would face consequences”. Government sources said this was the second threat in the last 48 hours.
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