New Delhi (November 4, 2024): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday issued a strong condemnation of an attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, describing the incident as a "deliberate attack" and criticizing what he called "cowardly attempts" to intimidate Indian diplomats in the country.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada,” Modi wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
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Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi also condemned the attack, urging Canada’s government to secure places of worship and prosecute those responsible. MEA spokesperson Randir Jaiswal addressed the incident in a press briefing, stating, “We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted.”
The attack, which took place on Sunday, sparked criticism both in Canada and internationally. Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the incident, calling it "completely unacceptable."
Relations between India and Canada have soured significantly in recent months, particularly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that India may have been involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.