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Minister says Indian diplomats face ‘atmosphere of intimidation’ in Canada
- Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said making threats against diplomats under the garb of freedom of speech was ‘unacceptable’
- Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi worsened after PM Trudeau alleged that Indian agents may have had a role in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Nijjar
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Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Friday there was a “climate of violence” and an “atmosphere of intimidation” against Indian diplomats in Canada, where the presence of Sikh separatist groups has frustrated New Delhi.
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“Because there is freedom of speech, to make threats and intimidate diplomats, I don’t think that’s acceptable,” Jaishankar told reporters on Friday evening in Washington.
Relations between India and Canada have been tense of late, mostly due to the presence of Sikh separatists in Canada who have kept alive the movement for Khalistan, or the demand for an independent Sikh state to be carved out of India.
Canada’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents may have had a role in the June murder of Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was labelled a “terrorist” by India.
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