Amid growing diplomatic tension between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday reiterated its claim that Ottawa’s allegations on the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar were “politically driven” and said the Justin Trudeau government had not shared any specific information with New Delhi.
"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 against India by individuals based on the Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a press briefing.
The relation between the two countries nosedived earlier this week after Trudeau’s allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of the Khalistani separatist in June. New Delhi has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.
Bagchi said India had asked the western country to reduce its diplomatic strength. “Canadian diplomatic presence in India is higher than that of India in Canada; there should be parity of strength and rank equivalence by both sides”
Earlier in the day, in a further escalation of the diplomatic war, India suspended visa services for Canadian nationals 'till further notice' amid the diplomatic tussle with authorities in New Delhi citing 'operational reasons' for the suspension.
Bagchi confirmed the move and said the Indian consulate and diplomats in Canada are facing threat from extremist elements.
"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 said.
The spokesperson further remarked that Canada should worry about its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists and for organized crime.
"If you're talking about reputational issues and reputational damage, if there's any country that needs to look at this, I think it is Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organized crime. And I think that's a country that needs to worry about its international reputation," Bagchi said.