Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for being with us.
Mr. Wark, you're certainly becoming a regular at this committee.
Mr. Granger, thank you for accepting the committee's invitation to testify. In an article in La Presse in September 2023, when asked by journalist Vincent Larin about why India would have a grudge against Canada, you replied that “India therefore blames Canada ‘for being a bit soft’ in the face of this resurgence of the Sikh separatist movement in the country.” You also said that “India criticizes Canada for not protecting its diplomats from intimidation by Sikh separatists” and that this has been “a recurring accusation since the 1980s”. You pointed out that “recent events somewhat justify these fears, including referenda in Canada on Khalistan independence, in which past acts of violence were allegedly celebrated”.
I'm wondering about Canada's attitude. In my view, Canada's responsibility is to protect its citizens first and foremost, and they should come before foreign diplomats, for instance.
Do you think Canada should have taken a tougher stance on India or on what India thinks of Canada?
What are your thoughts on that?