"Indian diplomats are threatened, consulates attacked ...... And, a lot of this is often justified by saying, well, that's how democracies work” : Jaishankar slams Canada

".... our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked and often comments are made about ‘there's interference in our (Canadian) politics’. And, a lot of this is often justified as saying, well, that's how democracies work,” Dr S Jaishankar said.

In an interactive programme with journalists, ex diplomats and intelligentsia at the Council of Foreign Relations in the United States, External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar said --   

“We have actually been badgering the Canadians, we have given them a lot of information about organised crime leadership, which operates out of Canada. There are a large number of extradition requests. 

There are terrorist leaders who have been identified,” he said, adding that one has to understand that there is an “environment out there”. “That is important in a way to factor in if you have to to understand what is going on out there. 

And our concern is that it's really been very permissive because of political reasons. 

"So we have a situation where actually our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked and often comments are made about ‘there's interference in our politics’. And, a lot of this is often justified as saying, well, that's how democracies work,” the minister said. 

In the wake of Canada’s allegations about India’s “potential” involvement in the killing of a Khalistani separatist on its soil, Dr Jaishankar has said that New Delhi conveyed to Ottawa that it is not the government of India’s policy and it is open to looking at “specific” and “relevant” information in the case. “Yes, I do have a comment. I’ll share with you very frankly".

"One, we told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Two, we told the Canadians saying that look, if you have something specific, if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it,” he said.

The discussion was moderated by former US Ambassador to India and CFR Distinguished Fellow, Kenneth Juster.

Maritime issues:

"If there is no authority monitoring , no force out there to enforce the rule of the law; it's a problem," Dr Jaishankar said answering questions on China, Quad and the importance of Indian Ocean.

"If one looks at what historically used to be the American presence in the Indian Ocean, it is much less today. And what it has done is, it (the US) has left gaps. And it has left gaps at a time when threats have actually increased," the External Affairs Minister said.   

"I don't see Quad as a grouping which is meant ...or point towards another country. I think there are global concerns there to be safe guarded....and there are concerns there which are better addressed when Quad countries work together." 

India's growing footprint and 'goal' of 2047:

You see a India today whose footprint is more and whose activities are more....that's one part. Second, the structure of the world is such. We have seen particularly over last four-five yearsin many ways more openings. The nature of world politics has changed. 

The issues have changed. The technology issue, every issue ....There are varieties of issues which are driving clearly an heightened Indian activity and in a way we are also planning ahead. Today PM Mr Narendra Modi talks about the planning for next quarter of a century. So we have a particular term for it. 

"A quarter century from now, we should really strive to be a developed country. Now that's the goal at home. As a consequences of that ...... it would be logical that we also seek to be a global power"

"And if you are going to have an ambition to be a global power, then it takes time to prepare it. You are not going to turn on a switch and suddenly become a global power. So a lot of what we are trying to do ....today's interest ....And given the one of the contradictions of the world it was visible at G20.

"You have a much sharper East-West polarisation; whose immediate and not the only cause is the conflict in Ukraine. You have a very deep north-south divide.....and I would say we are one of the few countries who have that ability to actually bridge both these issues....So that too is a factor". 

ends