EAM Jaishankar to skip Canada-led COVID meet after Justin Trudeau's remarks

New Delhi, December 05: Amid the fresh row between Canada and India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will not attend Canada headed COVID-19 foreign ministers grouping meeting after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau again reiterated his "unwarranted" stance on farmers’ protest.

 

 

According to the source, EAM Jaishankar will not attend the meeting that is to take place on December 7 due to "scheduling issues".

 

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Canadian government that Jaishankar is not available to attend the December 7 meeting organised by Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne because of "scheduling" issues.

 

This has come after the Minister of External Affairs gave a stern warning to the Canadian High Commissioner saying comments made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others in his cabinet on the farmers’ protest constituted an “unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs and these actions, if continued, will have a “seriously damaging” impact on the bilateral ties.

 

Justin Trudeau had expressed "concerns" over the farmers' protests irking New Delhi. “I would be remiss if I didn’t start also by recognising the news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and we’re all very worried about family and friends”, he said at an online event.