India conveys concerns about Canada in “the most powerful term” after Toronto's pro-Kalistan rally

India conveyed its concerns to the Canadian High Commission on Monday (May 5, 2025) on the way, following a rally in Toronto portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior ministers of the Indian government in an offensive way. This is the first exchange between India since the election of new Prime Minister Mark Carney a week ago.

“We have conveyed our concern in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, where unacceptable images and threatening language were used against our leadership, as well as Indian citizens living in Canada. We reiterate our call on Canadian authorities to conduct anti-hate and advocate religious propaganda on elements of protest in Canada and declare officials among Canadian officials.

Mr. Carney’s victory was welcomed by the Indian government, and Mr. Modi sent a congratulatory message to Ottawa, saying: “Congratulations to @markjcarney for his election as Prime Minister and Liberal Party for your victory as well as the Liberal Party. India and Canada are bound by common democratic values, efforts toward businesses and competitors and efforts toward competitors, our people.”

A large pro-Kalistan rally was held in Toronto on Sunday, which used terms like “kill India” and portrayed several leading figures, including PM Modi, in a derogatory way. The rally also brought up the slogan of religious lines and sought to expel Canadians from Indians.

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India’s relations with Canada have become cold since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of assassinating pro-Karistan missionary Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia. India has since repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the Canadian authorities in Canada's growing Canadian activities. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar described the Trudeau government's political use of “voting banking”.

On October 14, 2024, India withdrew its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma from Ottawa as bilateral bonds brought the nose.