NewsGate Press Network

India has now toughened its stand with Canada over giving protection to Khalistani extremists by halting visa operations in Ottawa.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Canada is providing “safe haven” to anti-India operatives.

The MEA spokesperson also rejected Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegation that India government was behind the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in June earlier this year.

That statement made by Trudeau was “politically driven”, Bagchi said.

Arindam Bagchi was addressing reporters during his weekly media briefing on Thursday. He said till date Canadians have not shared information with India after making allegations regarding killing of extremist Nijjar

Bagchi also added that Canadian High Commission based in New Delhi have been asked to scale down presence of their number of diplomats so that there is parity of strength to that of Indian numbers present in Ottawa.

Canada has been maintaining a bigger number in India.

He said, “We’ve informed the Govt 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.”
Arindam Bagchi further commented that the Government of India has informed multiple times to the Canadian government about the use of its soil for criminal activities and added that no action was taken by Canada.
“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,” said Bagchi.
MEA Spokesperson said, “Safe haven is being provided in Canada, we want the Canadian govt to not do so and take action against those who have terrorism charges or send them here to face justice…We’ve sought either extradition request or assistance related to that, at least more than 20-25 individuals we’ve requested over the years but the response has not been helpful at all.”
On increasing security at Indian Consulate in Canada, he said, “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.”