HTLS 2023: Jaishankar says there's room for diplomacy to address India-Canada row

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Hindustan Times Editor-In-Chief R Sukumar, Jaishankar said, “I feel that there is room for diplomacy here. I know that my counterpart in Canada has also expressed that same position. So, we have been in touch.

My hope certainly would be that we find a way." He was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying that sovereignty and sensitivity cannot be "one-way streets", and that India is willing to talk to Canada about its legitimate concerns. "But it cannot be that a conversation is completely dismissive of my interests and my sensitivities, and I think we need balance," he added. Jaishankar said there are many countries where there is freedom of speech and expression.

"But that cannot be a license to violent and intimidation or to propagate separatism and worse. The problem that we have faced, we have seen activities which have been justified in the name for freedom," the minister was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying. Jaishankar went on to speak about a "smell test" that he said he has for every country.

"I have a very simple smell test for every country in the world. If you think that's right, would you like that to be done to you? And mostly I don't get an answer," he added. The external affairs minister's statement came months after tension between India and Canada escalated following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations against India.

In September 2023, Trudeau alleged a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June on the Canadian soil. India outrightly rejected the claims, calling it 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Jaishankar had earlier said India has not closed its doors and is willing to look at any “relevant and specific" information