India criticised Canada harshly for allowing Khalistan separatist to commemorate the death of former prime minister Indira Gandhi with foreign minister S Jaishankar, claiming that Canada's tolerance of such actions would be bad for the two countries' relations.
With Canadian NSA Jody Thomas adding fuel to the fire by accusing India, along with China, Russia and Iran, of foreign interference in Canada, the foreign minister responded by saying this was a case of “ulta chor kotwal ko daatein (thief badmouthing a cop)”.
“I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence and I think it is not good for relationships and not good for Canada,” he added.
The Congress has criticised the "glorification" of Indira Gandhi's murder in Canada and referred to the Prime Minister's "silence" on the matter as "unfortunate." Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate slammed what it said was the absence of a substantial reaction from the government. “All that our government has done is make this one general comment - without even naming Indira Gandhi. India must take this up officially with the Canadian government,” she said.
Canadian high commissioner Cameron MacKay tweeted he was appalled by reports about the event. “There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,’’ he said.