Canadian MP Chandra Arya, who is critical of Justin Trudeau's government, met with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday.
Jaishankar took to X after the meeting and posted, "Delighted to meet Canadian MP Chandrakanth Arya. His passion for deepening India-Canada ties is commendable and valued his insights."
Arya, a vocal critic of Canada's policy of sheltering pro-Khalistani elements, highlighted the importance of relations between Canada and India. He referred to a recent statement of the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner in India, who had said, "in the long-term, Canada's strategic interests align closely with those of India."
He added that the two nations enjoyed strong economic ties and that Canadian investments in India were doing well. He also noted the large number of Indian professionals in Canada and students coming to that country, and underlined the need for both sides to build on these positive trends.
Tensions between the two nations have remained high over Canada's policies on asylum to extremist elements, with India now warning that if the bilateral relationship is strained any further, it will have severe consequences for Canada.
Jaishankar had earlier come down heavily on Canada for its indulgence of extremists, saying: "There is a difference between freedom of speech and freedom to trumpet violence, separatism, and terrorism. The liberal Canadian laws have been manipulated by Khalistani elements. Political compulsions have pressured the hosting of such elements." He had also expressed concern over the attacks on Indian diplomatic staff and destruction of Indian properties in Canada and sought a rethink by the Canadian government.
Recently, he expressed his concern with respect to the vandalism of the Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton and other similar incidents all over Canada. He condemned these acts and called for a stronger response from Canadian authorities to prevent further escalation.
Further, she criticized the public celebration of acts of violence by Khalistani extremists and offensive imagery and called for Canadian law enforcement to take these issues more seriously to ensure the safety of Hindu-Canadians.
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