India summons Canada diplomat after pro-Khalistan slogans raised at Trudeau event

It said, “The government of India’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens.”

At the event on Sunday, as the Canadian PM walked up to the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day, the chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” kept getting louder, showed a video released by Canadian TV channels.

It happened again when Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre walked up to the stage to begin his address. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present at the event.

In his address during the Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto, Trudeau said, “We gather here today to remember that one of Canada’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We are strong, not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences. But even as we look at these differences, we have to remember and get reminded on days such as this and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values.”

Trudeau, who has upset India with allegations that Delhi was involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, also vowed to always protect the rights and freedoms of Sikhs in Canada and defend the community against hatred and discrimination. India has called the allegations of Nijjar’s killing “absurd” and “politically motivated”.

Ties between India and Canada have been adversely impacted since Trudeau made those allegations public in September last year.