Canada seems to be driven by vote-bank politics: Jaishankar reacts to Khalistani activities

Published on: 29 Jun 2023 at 10:29 AM

Published by: thefactnews

The Fact News Service

New Delhi, June 29

Reacting to the rise in ‘Khalistani’ activities in Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Ottawa seems to be driven by “vote-bank politics” and this has also impacted the ties between the two countries lately.

He was speaking at a town hall meeting at the India International Centre, here in the national capital. Speaking to the reporters, Jaishankar said, “How Canada has dealt with the Khalistani issue is a longstanding issue for us, because very frankly, they seem to be driven by vote bank politics. Their responses have been constrained by what they regard as vote bank compulsions. We made it very clear that if there are activities which are permitted from Canada that impinge on our sovereignty, territorial integrity and our security, then we will have to respond”.

“It is something which is a continuing conversation with Canada, not always satisfactory, but something on which we have been very clear. And over the last few years, you can see that this has impacted our ties in many ways,” he added.

Notably, there has been a rise in Khalistan activities in Canada lately.

Earlier this month, a tableau parade was organised in Ontario celebrating the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi, which drew severe criticism from New Delhi.