In yet another flagrant violation of diplomatic norms, Canada has allowed pro-Khalistan extremists to stage a demonstration at the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.
Carrying Khalistani, Canadian and American flags, the protesters called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'terrorist' in broad daylight. They also tore up the Indian national flag in front of the High Commission building.
As on previous occasions, the radicals also paraded a float with an effigy of PM Modi in jail.
The extremists demanded the 'prosecution' of Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma over US-led allegations of 'transnational repression'.
New Delhi has consistently raised the issue of threats to Indian diplomats stationed in the country, even saying that Indian officials aren't "safe" in the country due to threats from pro-Khalistan extremists.
The latest pro-Khalistan demonstration at the Indian diplomatic compound took place on July 4, or American Independence Day.
Last month, pro-Khalistan groups staged a mock trial of PM Modi at the Indian consulate in Vancouver, one of the epicentres of the secessionist movement in Canada, on the death anniversary of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist (in India) who's known to have links with New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a coalition partner of Trudeau.
India had lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi over the incident.
Last week, in a statement responding to the US State Department's criticism of India's human rights record, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reminded the Biden administration that it had regularly raised the issue of denying "political space to advocates of extremism and terrorism".
This is understood to be a reference to the growing pro-Khalistan activism in the US, which this year allowed the staging of the first-ever 'pro-Khalistan referendum' calling for the secession of the Indian state of Punjab.