India asked Canada on Thursday to take action against the anti-India elements operating from its soil. The remark by the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal came when asked about reports that Canada has charged two people with threatening on social media to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but such actions are missing against those threatening Indian leaders and diplomats.

"We have seen these reports. When a democracy adopts different yardsticks to measure or implement the rule of law and freedom of expression, it only exposes its own double standard," Jaiswal said.

"We expect Canada to take action against anti-India elements who have repeatedly threatened Indian leaders, institutions, airlines and diplomats by violence," he said.

"We would like to see strong action, same level of action on threats against us," he added.

Jaiswal also responded to the announcement by the Kerala government to appoint a Secretary for External Cooperation and said that foreign affairs are the "sole prerogative" of the Union Government and not concurrent or state subjects. He also said that the state government should not intrude into matters beyond its constitutional jurisdiction. 

The order by the Kerala government dated July 15, stated that the secretary (labour and skills) K Vasuki "will hold the additional charge of the matters connected with external cooperation." It also mentioned that the Resident Commissioner at Kerala House in the national capital will be supporting Vasuki in matters concerning external cooperation and will liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs, Missions, and Embassies.

"The Constitution of India, under the 7th Schedule list 1--Union list, item 10, clearly specifies that foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country, are the sole prerogative of the Union Government," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in the weekly press briefing on Thursday.

The order by the Kerala government attracted strong criticism from the Centre as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP State President K Surendran had slammed the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, saying that it is a "blatant overreach" and a violation of the Union List of the Constitution.

(With input from agencies)