India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, reiterated to the UN that “political convenience” cannot be used to influence responses to terrorism or violence, urging the international community to uphold the rules-based order and the UN Charter.
In his address to the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Jaishankar further advised nations not to interfere in others’ internal affairs.
India is open to looking into any "specific" information Canada provides on the killing of a Sikh separatist leader, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said.https://t.co/n1Ha7Gc4Lx
— BBC News India (@BBCIndia) September 27, 2023
Jaishankar’s Veiled Remarks at UN
Jaishankar’s statements on Tuesday, amid a diplomatic spat between India and Canada and tensions with China, have been interpreted as a dig at both of the latter.
The EAM stated, “nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry-picking.”
“When reality diverges from rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out,” Jaishankar said, adding that there can never be real trust without genuine unity. “This is very much the sentiment of the Global South,” he remarked.
Tensions between India and Canada increased following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s recent allegations of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.
In 2020, India designated Nijjar as a terrorist. The Indian government has dismissed the allegations of Nijjar’s killing as “absurd” and “motivated.”
#WATCH | New York: On India-Canada row, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "...We told the Canadians that this is not the Government of India's policy...If you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it...The picture is not… pic.twitter.com/VcVGzDelJt
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2023
Sharp Comments on Canada at CRF
In another international forum, the ‘Discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York, Jaishankar said, “In the last few years, Canada actually has seen a lot of organised crime, relating to secessionist forces, organised crime, violence, and extremism.”
“We told the Canadians that this is not the Government of India’s policy,” Jaishankar said of India’s alleged role in Nijjar’s killing. According to the EAM, the Indian government “was open to looking at it,” if Canadians had any specific information.
Jaishankar claimed, “We have actually been badgering the Canadians, we have given them a lot of information about organised crime leadership, which operates out of Canada.” The Minister added that India had sent many extradition requests to Canada.
“Our concern is that [the Trudeau Administration has] really been very permissive because of political reasons,” Jaishankar said, adding that India’s ambassadors were threatened and consulates attacked.
When asked about the alleged sharing of intelligence between the ‘Five Eyes’ group about Nijjar’s killing, Jaishankar retorted, “I’m not part of the Five Eyes. I’m not part of the FBI. You are asking the wrong person.”
Furthermore, Jaishankar said that there was interference in Indian politics, which was often justified on the basis of democracy.
Jaishankar Reiterates Policy of ‘Dialogue and Diplomacy’
Speaking at the UNGA, Jaishankar said that the New Delhi summit also reiterated that diplomacy and dialogue are the most effective solutions at a time when “East-West polarisation is so sharp and the North-South division so deep.”
Jaishankar assured that the outcomes of the G20 Summit in New Delhi will undoubtedly reverberate for years to come. Among them is the Action Plan for Sustainable Development Goals, The High Principles of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), and the Green Development Pact.
India also seeks to encourage cooperation with diverse partners, Jaishankar remarked. “From the era of non-alignment, we have now evolved to that of Vishwa Mitra (a friend to the world). This is reflected in our ability and willingness to engage with a broad range of nations. And, where necessary, harmonise interests,” he added.
Jaishankar, in his concluding remarks, stated, “As a civilisational polity that embraces modernity, we bring both tradition and technology equally confidently to the table. It is this fusion that today defines India, that is Bharat.”