India summons Canada envoy over Khalistan slogans at event attended by PM Justin Trudeau

India on Monday summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner to register a stern protest over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans at an event in Toronto, Canada which was attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other political leaders.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the country's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed.

"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," said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry over “the raising of separatist slogans on Khalistan at an event which was addressed by the Canadian prime minister”, the ministry said.

“Indian government’s deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked,” the statement said in a reference to the Khalsa Day Parade in Toronto on Sunday afternoon.

"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," the statement said, adding that such actions will impact bilateral relations.

The ministry has several times earlier slammed the Canadian government for its failure to curb the activities of pro-Khalistan elements.

Also read: Video of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in Canada surfaces

“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,” the statement said.

The MEA remarks came after Trudeau as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre attended the Khalsa Day celebrations in Toronto on Sunday (Apr 28) where loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were raised.

As the Canadian prime minister was set to address the public to mark Khalsa Day, the "Khalistan Zindabad" chants got louder, as seen in the video released by Canada-based CPAC TV.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present at the event.

India-Canada diplomatic rift

The incident also comes amid an ongoing diplomatic rift between India and Canada that was triggered after Trudeau accused New Delhi of killing Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. 

However, India has strongly rejected the allegations calling them "baseless" and "absurd".

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023.

He was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in the year 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)