Mumbai: During a press conference over tensions between India and Canada, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “It is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime.”
“Terrorism is being funded and supported by our western neighbour Pakistan, but the issue of safe havens and places to operate being provided abroad, including in Canada,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.
“We would want the Canadian government to not provide safe havens to terrorists and to take action against those who are facing terrorism charges or send them here to face charges,” he added.
Additionally, he claimed that throughout the years, India had requested the extradition of at least 20–25 people, but that Canada’s reaction had been completely ineffective.
According to Bagchi, Canada did not provide India with any particular intelligence on terrorist activities or the June 18 shooting death of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) head Hardeep Singh Nijjar by two unknown assailants near a gurdwara.
“No specific information has been shared by Canada in this case, either then or now. We are willing to look at any specific information on this, but so far we have received no information from Canada,” Bagchi said.
However, the spokesperson said that India had shared very specific information on criminal activities on Canadian soil, but the country did not act on it.
Indian and Canadian relations have been strained once again as a result of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding the murder of Nijjar.
The MEA spokeswoman responded to questions about these claims by calling them “politically driven” and claiming that some degree of discrimination exists.
“Yes, I do believe there is some prejudice present here. They have accused them and initiated legal action. We believe that the Canadian government’s accusations are largely motivated by political considerations,” he stated.
He said that MEA has informed its top allies of its opinions over the diplomatic spat with Canada. Additionally, he stated that owing to work interruptions brought on by security concerns, the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada are momentarily unable to process visa applications.
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