His response came shortly after the central government summoned Canada’s High Commissioner on Friday to express its displeasure at his earlier remarks.
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, repeated his support for the right of farmers in India to hold peaceful protests. His response came shortly after the central government summoned Canada’s High Commissioner on Friday to express its displeasure at his earlier remarks.
“Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests anywhere around the world. And we are pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue,” Mr Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa, responding to a question about India’s warning that he could damage ties between the two countries.
Mr Trudeau, when pressed further about whether he was worried about the consequences, repeated the first line of his statement.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked moments ago about whether he is concerned that his comments on the #FarmersProtests will hurt relations with India
Here's his reponse: pic.twitter.com/01MRKxcqBP
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) December 4, 2020
Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, being the first world leader to back the farmer’s agitation in India against the new farm laws, said: “Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest”, noting that the situation is “concerning”.
At an online event to mark the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the Canadian Prime Minister said: “The news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and we’re all very worried about family and friends. I know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest.”
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, reacting to the remarks made by Mr Trudeau, said the comments are unwarranted and it is also best that diplomatic conversations aren’t misrepresented for political purposes.
“We’ve seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. These are unwarranted especially when pertaining to internal affairs of a democratic country. It’s also best that diplomatic conversations aren’t misrepresented for political purposes,” Anurag Srivastava, the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, said in a statement.
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