There has been bitterness between India and Canada for a while now and India has now given a straight forward statement saying that the relation between both the countries can be repaired only when the Justin Trudeau government deals with Anti-India activities strictly. The Indian government has demanded strict and verifiable action against those who actively pursue anti India activities. This comes after the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the media that he had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the real issues between both the countries, however the Indian government has confirmed that there was no “substantive discussion” between the both.
Earlier, Trudeau had spoken to the media where he claimed to have exchanged dialogue with PM Modi as reported by CBC news on Friday. However, India has issued a detailed statement on the so-called “brief exchange” and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not have any discussion with the Canadian PM but instead just virtually told him “not the time and place” for discussion. He said this when the Canadian PM appeared as a surprise in front of Modi when he was on his way from the Lunch to the dining venue at the ASEAN summit on October 11. Contrary to the actual incident, Trudeau said that he had talks with the PM and during which he also said “I won’t go into detail” about what we talked. He had said
I had a brief exchange with Prime Minister Modi in which I emphasized that there is work that we need to do. I won’t go into the details of what we talk about but what I have said many times is that the safety of canadians and upholding the rule of law is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any Canadian government.
Motive behind Trudeau’s action
Looking at the actions by the Canadian PM, it is being seen that he is trying to gain support before he appears at a public inquiry about foreign interference in Canada’s elections on October 16. Last year, Trudeau had accused the Modi Government of the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Now India has made it clear to the Canadian Prime Minister that he cannot make unverified claims without any evidence.
Moreover, India has criticized the Canadian PM for allegedly giving political directives to its investigative agencies to support his claims. But still it appears as if the Canadian government will continue accusing India which will indirectly strengthen has position before this inquiry. Furthermore, Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly has also expressed intentions of holding India accountable. This interaction is the second between Trudeau and Modi since September 2023.