India has warned that “such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties"

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and conveyed to him that comments by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constituted an “unacceptable interference” in the internal affairs of India.

“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” the MEA warned the Canadian envoy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, backing the agitating farmers in India, had said that Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protests, and expressed concern over the situation.

“The Canadian High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and informed that comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs,” the MEA said.

“These comments have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security,” the MEA maintained.

“We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” the MEA added.