India on Thursday sought to impress upon Canada, the UK, the US and Australia that in the name of freedom of expression, space should not be given to those who "advocate violence, propagate separatism or legitimise terrorism", faced with threats to Indian diplomats and missions by Khalistani groups.

The remarks by external affairs ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi came in response to questions on the pro-Khalistan posters with photographs of Indian diplomats identified as "Shaheed Nijjar’s killers" that have been circulating on the web, and comments made earlier in the day on these developments by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British secretary of state James Cleverly. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Khalistan Tiger Force chief, was gunned down in Vancouver last month.

Responding to allegations that Canada was soft on Khalistani separatists, ANI quoted Trudeau as saying: "They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will...."

In a tweet, Cleverly said: "Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable...."

Bagchi said: "It is a matter of concern that freedom of expression and speech is once again being misused by anti-India elements based in Canada and elsewhere."