NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday urged the Centre to “act together” with the opposition to protect India’s international reputation after allegations by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. Ramesh emphasised the importance of a united front in defending the nation’s global standing.
“The opposition must be fully informed, as safeguarding India’s global standing is a shared responsibility,” he said in a post on X.
Ramesh continued his X post, saying, “Our nation’s international image as a country that believes in and adheres to rule of law is at risk, and it is crucial that we act together to defend it. On matters relating to national security and foreign policy, the nation must always be one.”
He added that allegations from Canada, supported by other countries, are risking India’s global reputation and damaging “Brand India.”
Ramesh also mentioned that the Congress party had already asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to involve opposition leaders and other political figures in discussions about the serious charges against India.
“The Indian National Congress has already asked the Prime Minister to take the Leaders of Opposition in both Houses of Parliament, and other political leaders, into confidence on the serious charges leveled against the government of India by USA and Canada,” he added.
Earlier, Ramesh expressed hope that PM Modi would brief opposition leaders on this matter, saying, “The Indian National Congress certainly hopes and expects that PM Modi will take into confidence the leaders of the opposition in both Houses of Parliament and the leaders of other political parties on this extremely sensitive and critical issue of India-Canada relations.”
India-Canada relations have deteriorated since Trudeau alleged in the Canadian parliament last year that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India has denied these allegations, describing them as “absurd” and “motivated,” and has accused Canada of hosting extremist elements.
Trudeau admitted on Wednesday that his government had not provided India with hard evidence, only intelligence, regarding Nijjar’s killing.
In response, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “What we have heard today only confirms what we have been saying consistently all along – Canada has presented us no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations that it has chosen to level against India and Indian diplomats.”
Jaiswal added that the responsibility for the strain in India-Canada relations rests with Prime Minister Trudeau alone.