India-Canada ties remain challenging, security of Indians is priority: MEA | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The ministry of foreign affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that India’s ties with Canada remain “challenging” because of the political space provided by Ottawa to be “challenging”.secessionist elements who advocate an anti-India agenda”. The MEA added that New Delhi has “repeatedly” urged Canada to act against such individuals, and that mutual respect for “territorial integrity and sovereignty is a prerequisite” for stable bilateral relations.
Despite the strained relations, the MEA said the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada remains a priority. “Issues faced by Indian nationals in Canada are brought to the attention of the Canadian authorities whenever they arise so that prompt action can be taken,” the MEA said in response to a parliamentary question on India-Canada relations .
“India has had and continues to have a challenging relationship with Canada, primarily due to the political space provided by the Canadian government to extremist and secessionist elements advocating an anti-India agenda,” it added.
“The Government of India has repeatedly urged the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective action against all anti-India elements operating from its territory,” the response further added.
According to the ministry, these elements are involved in activities that threaten India’s sovereignty, including glorifying killings, issuing threats against Indian leaders and holding “referenda” calling for the balkanization of India.
“This includes preventing secessionist and extremist elements from glorifying the assassination of our leaders; issuing threats to our current political leadership and diplomats; disrespecting and destroying places of worship; and supporting the balkanization of India by holding so-called ‘referenda’. the ministry said.

Tensions between the two countries escalated significantly after the assassination Hardeep Singh Nijjara designated terrorist in India, last year in British Columbia. Canadian authorities have accused India of involvement in the incident, allegations that New Delhi has strongly refuted. The diplomatic fallout led both countries to expel senior diplomats, further straining ties.
India has long criticized Canada for what it describes as Ottawa’s inaction against it Khalistani followers who seek to undermine India’s territorial integrity. These grievances include vandalism of places of worship, issuing threats to diplomats and public displays glorifying violence against Indian leaders.
Last week, Canadian intelligence officials made clear that they have no evidence linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar or National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to criminal activity in Canada. A statement from the Canadian government described such suggestions as “speculative and inaccurate.”