S Jaishankar’s remarks came amid tensions between India and Canada, over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of the involvement of Indian government agents in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
We don’t need to learn from others what freedom of speech is about, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, talking about the strain in diplomatic relations between India and Canada. Reiterating his stance on the issue, he said that Canada’s permissiveness towards terrorism, extremism and violence is a problem.
“Look, we are a democracy. We don’t need to learn from others what freedom of speech is about. We don’t think freedom of speech extends to incitement of violence. That to us is misuse of freedom, not defense of freedom,” Jaishankar said.
He was talking about the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and Khalistani threat posters in Canada featuring names of Indian diplomats.
“What would you do if you were in my shoes? If it was your embassies, your diplomats, your people, what would be your reaction?” Jaishankar added.
His remarks came amid tensions between India and Canada, over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of the involvement of Indian government agents in Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.
He said that India and Canada would have to talk to each other and see how they resolve their differences over Nijjar’s death. He said he discussed the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“It’s not like our doors are shut to look at something. But we need something to look at,” Jaishankar said, when asked about the lack of evidence for Canada’s allegations against India.
“If they are prepared to share with us specifics (of their allegations) and any relevant information, we are also open to looking at it, but what we do not want to see is an incident treated in isolation as it doesn’t convey the right picture,” Jaishankar added.
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