Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri addressed the concerns over Canada harbouring anti-India elements at Abhinav Pandya’s book launch event.
New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing diplomatic conflict between India and Canada, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Tuesday said that Canada for quite a long time has been supporting anti-India elements, but added that no country in the name of ‘freedom of expression’ should allow their citizens to threaten the Indian representatives at their diplomatic missions.
Speaking at the book launch of ‘Inside the Terrifying World of Jaish-e-Mohammad’, authored by CEO and Founder of Usanas Foundation, Dr Abhinav Pandya, and published by HarperCollins, the Union Minister who himself has been a veteran in the diplomatic circles said, “The world and the Western Powers maintained their duplicity on terrorism for too long. But the 9/11 changed the entire spectrum and the world came to realise the threats of terrorism and extremism.”
Lauding the author of the book who is a scholar in security strategies and has been working tremendously on terrorism and counter-terrorism while focusing on Kashmir, Puri said,”The time has come for the Indian scholars to read and write more about security, terrorism and counter-terrorism. We have been reading the Western concepts on this but I think the author has done an outstanding job in giving out the details of how terrorism operates in Kashmir.”
In his speech, Puri underscored the inherent power dynamics within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), characterising it as a platform for overt power struggles.
He further emphasised the obstruction of India’s endeavours to designate specific individuals and groups as terrorist organisations by nations driven by ulterior motives and their own political agendas. He stressed the exploitation of democratic freedoms by terror groups for funding and support, urging for heightened vigilance to counteract such abuse.
On India-Canada relations, which have been going through its darkest phase in decades, Puri said, “I have also witnessed threats, physical threats, to people who represent India. I have also been at the receiving end of some of those threats. I think it is incomprehensible that in the name of freedom of expression, you allow the photograph, whether on social media, of a head of mission with different people firing bullets at it or putting fire at the effigies. All such acts have a strong symbolic meaning and it endangers the life of the staffers at the diplomatic mission.”
He also lauded the Ministry of External Affairs statement on the row and said “It filled me with pride. They have called spade a spade. I have seen my colleagues in different places being attacked in Gurdwaras and places likewise. It is unbelievable to see what is going on, and then we speak about the rule of law.”
The book launch was honored by the attendance of various dignitaries, including diplomats, army generals, scholars, and notable media figures. Among those present were Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, Amb Lakshmi Puri, Amb K.D. Dewal, Lt Gen R.K. Sawhney, IPS Shiv Murari Sahai, and Aman Sinha, among others.
In his special remarks, former lieutenant governor of Delhi, Tejendra Khanna emphasised the importance of paying attention to Islamic practices, stating that neglecting them can have serious consequences. He also pointed out that some madrasas are becoming centres of Jihad.
‘Inside the Terrifying World of Jaish-e-Mohammad’ is Pandya’s third book and he has extensive field research experience of four years in Jammu and Kashmir. He was also an advisor to former lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik under whose tenure, Article 370 was abrogated.