India on Friday summoned Canada’s ambassador and warned of serious damage to diplomatic ties after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on growing protests by farmers, authorities said.
Trudeau however refused to back down, saying Ottawa would always back the rights of peaceful demonstrators.
Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest at new laws on farm produce trading.
Read more: Indian farmers are rising up against Modi’s ‘Great Reset’
There have been clashes with police and Trudeau released a Twitter video this week calling the events “concerning” and saying farmers should be allowed to stage peaceful protests.
The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, an Indian state which accounts for many migrants in Canada.
The Indian foreign ministry said it had summoned Canada’s top diplomat for a warning over “unacceptable interference” in India’s internal affairs.
#BREAKING: Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau on India demarching Canadian Envoy over his statements on farmer protests says: ‘Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protest in the world. We are pleased to see moves towards de-escalation & dialogue’.pic.twitter.com/omhsVC2pwF
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 4, 2020
“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” said a statement.
The ministry said “ill-informed” comments by Trudeau and other Canadian politicians had encouraged “extremist” gatherings in front of Indian missions in Canada.
“We expect the Canadian government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism,” it said.
Read more: Thousands of farmers protest India’s new farm laws
In Ottawa on Friday, Trudeau told reporters: “Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and human rights anywhere around the world.”
He added he was “pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue” between farmers and the Indian government.
I'm sure I'll be told I have no locus standi to comment on this matter, but…the lengths that New Delhi sometimes goes to register its unhappiness with foreign criticism of its internal matters (in this case, farmers protests) is really something. https://t.co/CKN3Pf7aBw
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) December 4, 2020
New Delhi has passed reforms which enable farmers to sell produce anywhere in India and avoid state-run markets.
Farming still dominates the country’s economy and forms a powerful political bloc, but it has been in crisis for many years. Thousands of small farmers have committed suicide in recent years, blaming their debts.
Two entry points into New Delhi are now being guarded by heavily armed security forces against farmers who want to protest in the capital.
Read more: Why did Trump call India ‘filthy’? Social media users offer novel explanations
Talks between ministers and protesters have hit a stalemate and media reported that on Thursday farm leaders refused to eat or drink anything offered by the government during negotiations.
AFP with additional input by GVS News Desk