New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today summoned Canadian High Commissioner over certain remarks made by Justin Trudeau and some other Canadian ministers over farmers’ protest in areas bordering Delhi while issuing a demarche in this regard.
MEA said that the comments made on issues relating to Indian farmers “constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs”.
“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the MEA said in a statement.
It said that these comments have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security.
“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” it added.
On Tuesday, India had rejected the remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and some other Canadian leaders on farmers’ protests in border areas of Delhi, saying that the comments are “ill-informed” and “unwarranted” while suggesting that “diplomatic conversations should not be misrepresented for political purposes”.
Trudeau, in online interaction with Canadians from the Sikh community, raised the issue of farmers’ protest while saying that the situation in “concerning”.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t start by recognising the news coming from India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning. We are all very worried about family and friends,” he said.
Pertinent to mention here, farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at Singhu and Tikri borders since November 26. They are demanding the rollback of recently passed farm bills by the Centre. They fear the new laws will affect the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and corporatise farming.
A meeting between the Centre and representatives of 35 farmers group failed to yield any resolution yesterday. However, the Central Government could amend three provisions in the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation), as per a statement made by Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
-ARK
