India
‘Very worrying’: Jaishankar’s sharp response to attack on Hindu temple in Canada | India News – Times of India
Addressing reporters in Canberra, where he is on an official visit, Jaishankar said: “What happened yesterday at the Hindu temple in Canada was very worrying. You should have seen the statement from our official spokesperson and the expression of concern from our Prime Minister. That should tell you how deeply we think about it.”
Jaishankar also raised India’s concerns over the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, calling it “unacceptable”. The minister criticized Canada’s approach, saying: “Canada has developed a pattern of making accusations without providing details.”
This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously strongly condemned the “deliberate attack” on a Hindu temple in Brampton. Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally disgusting 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,”
Relations between India and Canada have been under strain since last month, following allegations by Canada that Indian diplomats were involved in violence against Khalistan extremist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Canada had recently initiated an investigation against the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats.
India has dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated, with the Foreign Office accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using anti-Indian rhetoric for domestic political advantage.
Tensions were also palpable in Australia, where two Hindu temples in Canberra were vandalized last month. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong condemned the incidents, saying: “People across Australia have the right to be safe and respected,” Wong said. She clarified that while peaceful protests are legitimate, “we draw the line between violence, incitement to hatred or vandalism.”
Wong added that Australia had communicated its views on Canada’s recent allegations against India, but emphasized Canberra’s respect for Canada’s judicial processes.
