Trudeau Chides India's ‘Horrific Mistake’ as Ties Worsen

In some of his strongest statements yet on a worsening diplomatic row with India, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said India made a “horrific mistake” by violating the country’s sovereignty, the Guardian reported.

Trudeau was speaking on the killing of a Sikh separatist leader — a Canadian citizen — in British Columbia last June, which Ottawa says was orchestrated by the Indian government and its diplomats posted in Canada.

This week, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, saying it had evidence linking them to the murder. India also retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats.

Speaking on the escalating row, Trudeau said Canada did not want to “blow up” its ties with India but that his administration had to respond to the Indian government’s actions.

“The Indian government made a horrific mistake in thinking that they could interfere as aggressively as they did in the safety and sovereignty of Canada. We need to respond in order to ensure Canadians’ safety.” he said.

Read the full report: The Guardian

Vishakha Saxena

Vishakha Saxena

Vishakha Saxena is the Multimedia and Social Media Editor at Asia Financial. She has worked as a digital journalist since 2013, and is an experienced writer and multimedia producer. As a trader and investor, she is keenly interested in new economy, emerging markets and the intersections of finance and society. You can write to her at [email protected]