NEW DELHI: Exterior affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday expressed concern over the assault on a Hindu temple in Canada, describing the incident as “deeply regarding.”
Addressing reporters in Canberra, the place he’s on an official go to, Jaishankar stated, “What occurred yesterday on the Hindu temple in Canada was deeply regarding. You need to have seen the assertion by our official spokesperson and the expression of concern by our Prime Minister. That ought to convey to you ways deeply we really feel about it.”
Jaishankar additionally raised India’s objections over the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, calling it “unacceptable.” The minister criticised Canada’s strategy, saying, “Canada has developed a sample of constructing allegations with out offering specifics.”
This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier strongly condemned the “deliberate assault” on a Hindu temple in Brampton. PM Modi stated in a tweet, “I strongly condemn the deliberate assault on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly makes an attempt to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence won’t ever weaken India’s resolve. We count on the Canadian authorities to make sure justice and uphold the rule of regulation,”
The connection between India and Canada has been underneath pressure since final month, following allegations by Canada that Indian diplomats have been concerned in violence towards Khalistan extremist chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Canada had just lately positioned the Indian Excessive Commissioner and different diplomats underneath investigation.
India has rejected these allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated, with the ministry of exterior affairs accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of leveraging anti-India rhetoric for home political benefit.
The tensions have been additionally felt in Australia, the place two Hindu temples have been vandalized in Canberra final month. Australian overseas minister Penny Wong condemned the incidents, saying, “Folks throughout Australia have a proper to be secure and revered,” Wong stated. She clarified that whereas peaceable protests are reputable, “we draw a line between that and violence, incitement of hatred or vandalism.”
Wong added that Australia had communicated its views on Canada’s current allegations towards India however emphasised Canberra’s respect for Canada’s judicial processes.
