Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday (October 26) that India categorically rejects the manner in which the Canadian government targeted Indian diplomats, amid continuing rows over Ottawa’s allegations of New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Addressing an event in Pune, Jaishankar said India had initially raised concerns over organized crime in Canada, but the issue had been neglected due to a long-standing permissive atmosphere.

“We completely reject the manner in which the Canadian government has targeted our high commissioner and our diplomats,” he said, in response to recent actions that saw Canadian authorities appoint India’s high commissioner to Canada , Sanjay Verma, and several other diplomats as “persons of interest” in their investigation.

That diplomatic crisis intensified this month after Canada named Indian diplomats in the killing, leading India to recall Verma along with five other diplomats and expel six Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.

The situation deteriorated further when Canada hinted at possible sanctions, a move Jaishankar criticized as baseless and damaging.

Jaishankar also reflected on the broader political climate in Canada, suggesting that a “small minority” has disproportionately influenced the political scene to the detriment of bilateral relations.

“Unfortunately, the politics of this country gives this political lobby a certain degree of free play that I think is not only bad for us and our relationships. I would say it’s bad for Canada itself,” he remarked.

Besides the ongoing dispute with Canada, Jaishankar highlighted India’s diplomatic progress on the global stage, particularly its balanced engagement with Russia and Ukraine amid their ongoing conflict.

He highlighted India’s unique position and ability to engage with leaders of both countries, highlighting the country’s growing influence in global diplomacy.

Read also: US approves sale of surface-to-air missiles, radar systems to Taiwan amid growing Chinese threat