Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, expressing his dismay over “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats. PM Modi said that New Delhi expects Canada to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
In a post on X, PM Modi affirmed that such acts of violence would not weaken India’s resolve.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” PM Modi wrote.
The Prime Minister’s statement came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the acts of violence by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario.
“We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect those indulging in violence to be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding the violence in Brampton.
“The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment, and violence,” he added.
India has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the rise of extremism, violence, and anti-India activities in Canada, urging action against these activities.
This marked PM Modi’s first public statement on the Canada-related controversy, which sources say reflects his commitment to stand up for Indians globally.
An Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton witnessed a “violent disruption” on Sunday (local time), sparking widespread criticism within and outside Canada. Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the attack on the Hindu Sabha Temple, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
Relations between India and Canada have deteriorated sharply following unsubstantiated allegations by Canadian leaders regarding an assassination on Canadian soil. As a result, India has withdrawn its High Commissioner from Canada.
Last month, India conveyed its strong displeasure to Canada’s then-Chargé d’Affaires Stewart Wheeler, calling the “baseless targeting” of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats in Canada unacceptable.
India has also highlighted that the Trudeau government’s actions have jeopardized their diplomats’ safety in an atmosphere of extremism and violence. “We have no faith in the current Canadian Government’s commitment to ensure their security. Therefore, the Government of India has decided to withdraw the High Commissioner and other targeted diplomats and officials,” the MEA stated in a release.
Bilateral relations soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament last year that he had “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India denied the accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated,” and accused Canada of tolerating extremist, anti-India elements within its borders.
Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.
Trudeau recently testified at Canada’s foreign interference inquiry, admitting that his government had not provided India with hard evidence, only intelligence, regarding Nijjar’s killing on Canadian soil. Trudeau acknowledged that India had repeatedly requested evidence to support Canada’s claims.
(Inputs from ANI)