Justin Trudeau 'commended' Indian govt for handling farmers' protest: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told reporters that Trudeau also promised security for diplomatic missions and personnel in his country - against what the Centre claims are "Khalistani and separatist elements" that have hijacked the protest and are conspiring to defame India.

"PM Trudeau commended efforts of India to choose the path of dialogue as befitting in democracy. He also acknowledged the responsibility of his government in providing protection to Indian personnel and premises in Canada," Srivastava told media.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured Trudeau that India would do its best to facilitate supplies of Covid vaccines sought by Canada.

In a tweet, PM Modi wrote: "Was happy to receive a call from my friend @JustinTrudeau. Assured him that India would do its best to facilitate supplies of COVID vaccines sought by Canada. We also agreed to continue collaborating on other important issues like Climate Change and the global economic recovery."

The two leaders had an exchange on their respective efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, protect the health and safety of their people, and provide economic support for their citizens.

"Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Modi spoke about India's significant efforts in promoting vaccine production and supply, which have provided vital support to countries around the world," the Canadian PM's Office informed.

The two leaders agreed to work together on access to vaccines. The leaders also recognized the need for continued global coordination to respond to the pandemic and to promote recovery.

The two prime ministers reaffirmed their common interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the importance of working together on global challenges such as climate change, strengthening global trade, and reinforcing the rules-based international order.

The leaders discussed Canada and India’s commitment to democratic principles, recent protests, and the importance of resolving issues through dialogue. They underlined the need to work collectively in rebuilding a more sustainable and resilient global economy.

The leaders underscored the importance of the Canada-India strategic partnership anchored in shared values, strong people-to-people ties, and growing bilateral economic cooperation. The two leaders looked forward to working together at the G7, G20, and other international forums.

What Justin Trudeau had said in his earlier support to portesting farmers:

In December last year, Trudeau had once again extended his support to farmers and their right to protest peacefully, even after the Centre summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to complain when the Candian PM did so for the first time.

Despite New Delhi's objection, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau supports Indian farmers' protest again

Trudeau's earlier support followed coverages of farmers' protest marred with being tear gassed and lathi-charged. "Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests anywhere," he had said.

Trudeau was quoted as saying by the media as: "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."

On Jan 26, the situation in India's national capital-Delhi-went out of control after a tractor rally, which was called by the protesters on the evnt of Republic Day, turned violent as several farmers broke police barricades, vandalised government properties and stormed into the Red Fort to implant a Sikh flag, injuring over 100 police personnel and causing the death of one peasant.

Several supporters of farmers' protest openly criticised them on social media over the violence that erupted during their rallyon that day.

Even as the Indian government held more than ten rounds of talks with the representatives of farmers but no solution could be reached to the deadlock, as the protesters demanded the withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws and a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.

Since Nov 26, 2020, thousands of farmers have gathered at the border of Delhi, which houses the Prime Minister's residence, protesting against the three new farm laws which were enacted by the Centre through an Ordinance and later controversially passed by Parliament.