New York: Colombo has conveyed its support to New Delhi regarding the India-Canada row. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabri asserted that Canada has become a haven for terrorists, and he pointed out that Prime Minister Trudeau has made unsubstantiated comments about India in the past also. This isn’t a surprising development, said Ali Sabri.
“Trudeau’s recent invitation to people with Nazi affiliations into the country sheds light on his stance. Canada has increasingly become a paradise for a group of terrorists. Trudeau’s unfounded accusations against India are a recurring pattern,” said Ali Sabri.
Meanwhile, outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has said that India’s response to Canada’s allegations has been “firm and direct” and Colombo supports New Delhi on the matter. While addressing a press conference, he said that the people of Sri Lanka have suffered due to terrorism and that his country has zero tolerance for terrorism.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar will address the UN General Assembly today. He is expected to clarify the country’s position on the Canada issue. Yesterday, he had a discussion with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the President of the General Assembly.
Protests by Khalistanis took place in Canada against the Indian diplomatic offices the other day. Protests were held in three locations, including the nation’s capital, Ottawa and it is reported that less than 500 people participated in the protests.
Relations between India and Canada have become tense following Justin Trudeau’s September 18th claim that India was involved in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18th. India, however, firmly rejected these allegations, labeling them as “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
Comments