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Farmers’ protest: Trudeau reiterates support to farmers, brushes off New Delhi's reproach

Even as India has expressed its disapproval of the comments made by Canada PM Justin Trudeau over the ongoing farmers' protest in India, Trudeau has reiterated support for the protest.

Farmers protest: Trudeau reiterates support to farmers, brushes off New Delhi's reproach-dnm
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New Delhi, First Published Dec 5, 2020, 5:59 PM IST

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeated his support for the right of farmers in India to hold peaceful protests hours after the central government summoned the country's High Commissioner on Friday to express its displeasure at his original remarks.

"Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests anywhere around the world. And we are pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue," he told reporters in Ottawa to a question about India's warning that he could damage ties between the two countries.

When pressed further about whether he was worried about the consequences, Trudeau coolly reiterated the first line of his statement.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement: “The Canadian High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs today and informed that comments by the Canadian Prime Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament on issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.”

“Such actions, if continued, would have a seriously damaging impact on ties between India and Canada,” it said.

“These comments have encouraged gatherings of extremist activities in front of our High Commission and Consulates in Canada that raise issues of safety and security. We expect the Canadian Government to ensure the fullest security of Indian diplomatic personnel and its political leaders to refrain from pronouncements that legitimize extremist activism,” it said.

Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping on the outskirts of New Delhi since last week to protest new laws on farm produce trading which they say will leave them at the mercy of large corporations and override legal safeguards.

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