Canadian party calls for boycott of G20 activities in India

Toronto: An opposition party in Canada has called on the government to boycott G20 activities in India over its alleged treatment of religious minorities and human rights record.
The boycott call came as India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on Thursday under the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — world is one family.
New Democratic Party (NDP) MPs Heather McPherson and Blake Desjarlais in statement called on the ruling Liberal government to engage in a diplomatic boycott of G20 activities in India.
Asserting that it is deeply concerned about ongoing reports of “violations of civil liberties and human rights in India”, the NDP statement read: “India’s BJP government bears responsibility for ensuring respect for human rights and civil liberties of all Indian citizens.
“However, it is clear the Indian government is not only ignoring this responsibility, but also defying it with impunity.” Expressing its displeasure with the present government in India, NDP said: “Canada should reject any G-20 activities planned in Kashmir and refuse to attend while these human rights abuses continue.”