'Canada's Allegations Against India Politically Driven': MEA Amid Diplomatic Row

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the allegations made by Canada against India are "politically driven" with a "degree of prejudice." Responding to a volley of questions amid a diplomatic standoff over Khalistani sympathiser Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, ''The funding of Canada-based Khalistani extremists from Pakistan is a much serious issue.'' 

"Among other issues, the ongoing funding of Khalistani extremists based in Canada from Pakistani soil is a much more serious issue," the MEA official said while replying to reporters. "We've informed the Govt of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence," he added.

While maintaining that Canadian diplomatic interference in India's internal affairs is a big factor, the MEA official said that there will be a reduction of Canadian diplomats serving in the country. "Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada... I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side," Bagchi said.

Replying to a question on the suspension of visa services in Canada, the MEA Spokesperson said, "You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and Consulates in Canada. This has disrupted their normal functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and Consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis..."

Responding to the allegations made by Canada regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the MEA official said, "Canada has shared no specific intelligence on the case yet." "We are willing to look at any specific information that is provided to us, but so far we have received no specific information from Canada. From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon," Bagchi told reporters.

On Canada's allegations of India's involvement in Nijar's killing, the MEA spokesperson said, "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven."

 

#WATCH | On allegations by Canada, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, "Yes these allegations were raised by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau with PM (Modi) and PM rejected them." pic.twitter.com/FDxZ1Rc8aw — ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

 

The reaction from the MEA came shortly after India on Thursday suspended the issue of visas to citizens of Canada "till further notice". A notice by BLS International - a private agency hired for initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadian nationals - said, "Due to operational reasons... Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice". 

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

The updated travel advisory for Indian students came amidst a strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd.