Jairam Ramesh Urges Unity to Defend India’s Global Image Amid Canada Allegations

New Delhi, October 17, 2024: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh has called on the Indian government to work together with the opposition to defend India’s international image amid the escalating allegations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Ramesh emphasized that safeguarding India’s global standing is a shared responsibility, urging unity on matters of national security and foreign policy.

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“Our nation’s international image as a country that believes in and adheres to the rule of law is at risk, and it is crucial that we act together to defend it. On matters relating to national security and foreign policy, the nation must always be one,” Ramesh stated in a post on X on Wednesday.

The Congress leader expressed concern over the international fallout from Canada’s allegations, which have now been supported by several other countries. “Allegations made by Canada, now backed by several other countries, are threatening to escalate, tarnishing India’s global reputation and damaging Brand India,” he added.

Ramesh reiterated Congress’ earlier demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take opposition leaders into confidence and hold discussions on the “serious charges” leveled against India. “The Indian National Congress has already asked the Prime Minister to take the Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, and other political leaders, into confidence on the serious charges leveled against the government of India by the USA and Canada,” he said.

In a previous post, Ramesh had expressed the hope that PM Modi would brief the opposition on the sensitive issue of India-Canada relations, calling for a unified approach to handling the diplomatic crisis.

The strain in India-Canada ties stems from Trudeau’s allegations in the Canadian Parliament last year that he had “credible allegations” implicating India in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied these claims, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated,” while accusing Canada of harboring extremist and anti-India elements.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June 2023.

On Wednesday, Trudeau admitted that his government had not provided India with hard evidence but only intelligence regarding the killing of Nijjar. In response, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along—Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats.”

Jaiswal further held Trudeau responsible for the damage to India-Canada relations, adding, “The responsibility for the damage that this cavalier behavior has caused to India-Canada relations lies with Prime Minister Trudeau alone.”