India has raised strong objections with Canada regarding the "threatening language" and "unacceptable imagery" used at a parade in Toronto on Sunday. The floats at the event reportedly displayed pro-Khalistan messages and imagery targeting Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

According to official sources, India protested the parade to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. “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 sources stated that the Indian side once more urged Canadian authorities to take action against "anti-India elements" who are promoting extremism and a separatist goal and inciting hatred. 

“We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda,” the source said. The latest tension between the two countries happened just a few days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney won the general election. His Liberal Party made a strong comeback, and many saw the election results as a rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Modi congratulated Carney on his win and said he was looking forward to working with him to make the partnership between their countries stronger. “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.

Ties between India and Canada became tense after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India strongly denied the allegation, calling it “absurd” and “motivated.” This disagreement led both countries to expel each other’s diplomats last year.