New Delhi Summons Canadian Diplomat Over India Separatist Slogans at Event With Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waits to speak to a crowd during Khalsa Day celebrations at City Hall in Toronto on April 28, 2024. (Cole Burston/The Canadian Press)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs says it summoned a top Canadian diplomat in India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Toronto Sikh celebration where Indian separatist slogans were shouted.

“The Canadian Deputy High Commissioner was today summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs with regard to the raising of separatist slogans on ‘Khalistan’ at an event which was being personally addressed by the Prime Minister of Canada,” wrote the ministry in an April 29 statement.

Mr. Trudeau attended the Khalsa Day event to mark the Sikh New Year on April 28, alongside Liberal ministers and MPs. Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also participated.

As the prime minister was about to address the crowd, people in the crowd could be heard shouting about Khalistan, the independent state that Sikh separatists wish to create in India’s Punjab.

Canada is home to the largest population of Sikhs outside of India, and New Delhi routinely criticizes Canada for allowing Sikh separatists to organize.

“The Government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in its latest statement on the issue.

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New Delhi accuses Canada of giving political space to “separatism, extremism and violence,” saying it impacts India-Canada relations.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) refused to confirm the summoning of Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler.

“Canada is home to a vibrant and historic Sikh community. This weekend many Canadians joined together, as did communities around the world, to celebrate Vaisakhi,“ GAC spokesperson James Emmanuel Wanki told The Epoch Times. ”The Prime Minister gathered with thousands in Toronto to mark the occasion.”

The organizers of the Toronto event, the Ontario Sikh & Gurudwara Council, did not respond by publication time.

Relations between Canada and India have been particularly tense since last summer. Trade deal negotiations were put on hold before Mr. Trudeau accused India in the House of Commons in September of having a hand in the June 2023 murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in B.C.

India responded by stopping the issuing of visas to Canadians and lifting the immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats. While India restored electronic visa services in November, tensions have remained as new information comes to light about Indian activities in North America.

The United States said in November it thwarted an assassination plot targeting Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an ally of Mr. Nijjar. The U.S. Department of Justice said an Indian government official was involved.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.