India Criticizes Canada Over Khalistani Slogans Raised During Khalsa Day Celebration

 India on April 29 lodged a strong protest against the ‘Pro-Khalistan’ slogans raised during the Khalsa Day celebration in Canada. Lodging a strong protest, MEA summoned the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi. India’s action came after loud chants of ‘Pro-Khalistan’ slogans were raised in the presence of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. The incident comes amid a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment in Canada in recent times. Reacting to the incident, MEA added that such incidents “illustrate political space given in Canada to separatism, extremism, violence”. Relations between India-Canada deteriorated after PM Trudeau alleged India’s role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar. Following Trudeau’s allegation, India summoned the High Commissioner and expelled a senior diplomat. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar earlier had said ‘Khalistani forces have been given a lot of space in Canadian politics’.