Received no specific information from Canada on killing of Khalistani separatist, visa process disrupted due to security issues: MEA

India stated on Thursday that Canada has not shared any specific information on the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on its soil, and termed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations as "politically motivated" with a "degree of prejudice". Calling out Trudeau's allegations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, said, "I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by Government of Canada are primarily politically driven."

Quashing the allegations of India's involvement in Nijjar's murder, Bagchi clarified, "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 the Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon."

#WATCH | "Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action on them. To us, it seems that these allegations by government of Canada are primarily politically driven": MEA spox Arindam Bagchi on India-Canada row pic.twitter.com/75tvsAKRZl

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Addressing the suspension of visa services in Canada, the MEA Spokesperson stated that the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada are temporarily unable to process visa applications as work has been disrupted due to security issues.

"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," he informed.

#WATCH | On Visa services in Canada, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, "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… pic.twitter.com/5nRL8fjeGB

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

Further elaborating on the security threat, he added, "We have always believed that it is the host government's responsibility to provide security. Some places we have our own security posture also. But, I don't want to discuss security measures in public. That's not an appropriate situation."

Also Read - India suspends visa services in Canada till further notice

India has also asked Canada to reduce the number of Canadian diplomats at its High Commission in India, saying this is required to bring "parity" in the numbers. "Yes, we've informed the Government of Canada that there should be parity in strength in our mutual diplomatic presence. Their number is very much higher than ours in Canada. I assume there will be a reduction from the Canadian side," Baghchi said.

#WATCH | "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 the Canadian soil has been shared with Canada… pic.twitter.com/1rdHyXlLS7

— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023

India-Canada diplomatic row: Background

After Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, Canadian PM Trudeau claimed in the Canadian Parliament that Canadian 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.

However, the allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated" the statement said.

After that, on Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on traveling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid traveling 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).