Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar at an event titled ‘Emerging Opportunities in the Current Global Scenario’, in Pune, Maharashtra. | Photo credit: PTI

“India was the first to raise the presence of organized crime in Canada, but the issue was ignored for a long time due to a permissive atmosphere,” said Foreign Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Saturday 26 October 2024, rejecting the targeting of organized crime. its high commissioner and his diplomats by Mr. Trudeau’s government.

Speaking at an event in Pune on the theme ‘Emerging Opportunities in the Current Global Scenario’, the diplomat-turned-politician said India would obviously take a strong stance, which was taken when its national interest, its integrity and sovereignty are concerned.

“We completely reject the manner in which the Canadian government targeted our high commissioner and our diplomats,” Mr. Jaishankar said in response to a question.

Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was declared a “person of interest” by Canada on October 13, 2024 as part of its investigation into the matter. Murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023a Canadian citizen who was declared a Khalistan terrorist by India.

Before Canada could take further action, New Delhi recalled Mr. Verma and five other diplomats, also similarly named.

In response, India also expelled six Canadian diplomats. The diplomatic row has further intensified with Ottawa hinting at possible sanctions against India, which has rejected the allegations, including those made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

THE Canadian authorities also accused Indian agents of involvement in “homicides, extortion and acts of violence targeting pro-Khalistan supporters and even attempted to link the Bishnoi gang to unspecified criminal activities on Canadian soil.”

“The problem is there’s a small minority of people there, but they’ve established themselves as a bigger political voice,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the politics of this country gives this political lobby a certain degree of free play that I think is not only bad for us and our relationships. I would say it’s bad for Canada itself,” Jaishankar said.

He said India was the first to raise the presence of organized crime in Canada.

“We were telling them and they weren’t listening. This is happening because of a permissive atmosphere that has lasted for a long time. I think this is a problem related to a particular political phase or set of forces We certainly hope that more sensible, more sober, more responsible measures will emerge,” added Mr. Jaishankar.

Speaking about the current situation Ukraine-Russia Warhe said it’s been three years now.

“How many countries in the world had the capacity to go to Moscow and meet Vladimir Putin as well as visiting Ukraine to meet (President Volodymyr) Zelensky? The world believes that India has this capability. India stood up and spoke on the issue,” the foreign minister said.

He also said that countries with the best human resources will be the most powerful in the future. It was under India’s presidency of the G20 that the African Union was admitted as a member of the G20.