Threatening language, unacceptable imagery’: India lodges protest with Canada over floats at Toronto parade

India on Monday lodged a strong protest with Canada over the “threatening language” and “unacceptable imagery” targeting Indian leaders at a parade held in Toronto on Sunday. The floats at the parade reportedly featured pro-Khalistan propaganda and imagery attacking Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India lodged a protest with the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi over the parade, official sources said. “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,” one of the sources said.

The Indian side again called on Canadian authorities to act against “anti-India elements” who are spreading hatred and advocating extremism and a separatist agenda, the sources said.

PM Modi had congratulated Carney on the victory of his Liberal Party, saying he looked forward to working with Carney to “strengthen our partnership”. “India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people,” Modi had said at the time.