India protests 'threatening imagery' at Toronto parade, urges Canada to act against extremists: Report

NEW DELHI: India raised a strong objection with Canada regarding the "threatening language" and "unacceptable imagery" directed at Indian leadership during a Toronto parade, according to sources.
A parade on Sunday reportedly displayed pro-Khalistan propaganda and imagery targeting Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India registered its protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, according to official sources.
"We conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission regarding the parade held in Toronto, where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada," stated one source.
Indian officials urged Canadian authorities to take action against "anti-India elements" promoting hatred, extremism and separatist agendas, the sources indicated. "We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda," the source further added.
This tension emerged shortly after Mark Carney's electoral victory as Canadian Prime Minister.
Carney, an economist new to politics, secured a remarkable win for the Liberal Party during elections held amidst US President Donald Trump's tariff disputes.
His appointment presented a potential opportunity to improve India-Canada relations, which deteriorated significantly during Justin Trudeau's leadership.
The bilateral relationship faced serious challenges following Trudeau's September 2023 claims about the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death on Canadian soil. India firmly dismissed these allegations as "absurd".
Relations worsened when Ottawa connected several Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to Nijjar's death. In October last year, India withdrew Verma and five colleagues, whilst expelling an equal number of Canadian diplomats from New Delhi.
Recently, security officials from both nations resumed communications, exploring possibilities for appointing new high commissioners, reported news agency PTI.
Trudeau's departure was viewed as a chance for diplomatic improvement. India had criticised Trudeau's administration for allowing pro-Khalistani groups to operate in Canada.
Following Trudeau's exit, New Delhi expressed hopes to restore relations with Canada based on "mutual trust and sensitivity".