Freedom of speech doesn’t mean freedom to support separatism: Jaishankar on Canada

By allowing political space to Khalistani separatist elements, the Canadian government is sending a message that its vote bank is “more powerful” than its rule of law, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said. In an exclusive interview to PTI late Thursday, Jaishankar said India respects and practices freedom of speech, but that does not equate with freedom to threaten foreign diplomats, extend support to separatism or allow political space to elements advocating violence. Ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. “And freedom of speech does not mean this kind of space which is also given to people of various dubious background -- people associated with organised crime and so on,” he said.