NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Wednesday voiced concerns about the rising tensions between India and Canada, calling on the government to take a more inclusive approach by engaging the opposition in resolving the sensitive matter, stressing that safeguarding “India’s global reputation is a shared responsibility.”
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his party’s stance on the serious allegations made by the United States and Canada against India and said that in matters of national security and foreign policy, it is crucial for the entire nation to stand united.
“Our country’s international image as a nation that believes in and adheres to the rule of law is at risk, and it is vital that we work together to protect it. It is necessary for the entire country to be united on national security and foreign policy,” Jairam said.
“The Indian National Congress has already asked the Prime Minister to take the Leader of Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and other political leaders into confidence on the serious allegations levelled by the US and Canada,” he added.
The Congress leader further continued that the demand for greater transparency and collaboration has become crucial in light of the deteriorating relations between India and Canada, as well as the growing apprehensions regarding India’s ties with the United States.
The allegations put forth by Canada, which have now garnered support from several other nations, pose a significant threat to India’s global reputation and could potentially harm Brand India.
“This demand has become necessary amid the deteriorating India-Canada relations and growing concerns about India-US relations. The allegations made by Canada, now supported by several other countries, are an attempt to tarnish India’s global reputation and damage Brand India,” Jairam said in the post.
“It is important that the Indian government immediately and clearly clarifies its stand on this issue. The Opposition must be fully aware of this issue, as it is our joint responsibility to protect India’s global reputation,” he added.
This followed a major diplomatic step on Monday, when India expelled six Canadian diplomats. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Canada’s Charge d’Affaires, Stewart Wheeler, to express India’s strong objection to what it called the “baseless targeting” of its diplomats in Canada, asserting that such actions against its officials were unacceptable.
Earlier on Monday, Canada also expelled six Indian diplomats, citing “a targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India”.
In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement announcing the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including Stewart Wheeler, the Acting High Commissioner, along with other senior officials. “They have been asked to leave India by or before 11:59 pm on Saturday, October 19, 2024,” the statement read.