Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Sept 21: India blamed the Canadian government on Thursday for giving terrorists a safe haven. As a result of the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, diplomatic relations between India and Canada have deteriorated.
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), briefed the media and stated that the main concerns were terrorism, funding for terrorism, and providing safe havens for terrorists abroad.
“Terrorism is being funded and supported by our western neighbour Pakistan, but the issue of safe havens and places to operate are being provided abroad, including in Canada,” Baghchi said.
“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.
He also mentioned that India has requested the extradition of approximately 20-25 individuals over time, but Canada’s response has been uncooperative.
According to Bagchi, Canada did not provide India with any specific knowledge regarding 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, He stated that despite India providing highly detailed information on criminal activity on Canadian soil, the nation did nothing about it.
Indian and Canadian relations have been strained as a result of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding the killing of Nijjar.
When questioned about these allegations, the MEA spokeswoman referred to them as “politically driven” and stated there is a degree of prejudice.
“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,” he said.
He stated that MEA has informed its top allies of its opinions over the diplomatic spat with Canada.
Additionally, he stated that due to work interruptions brought on by security concerns, the Indian High Commission and consulates in Canada are temporarily unable to process visa applications.
