The top government representatives believe that Canadian diplomats in various consulates throughout Chandigarh and other regions of Punjab are allegedly abusing their authority by issuing visas to individuals with documented criminal backgrounds who are supporters of the Khalistani movement.
According to a report by CNN-News18, the government representatives claim that the diplomats have exhibited a lenient approach in granting visas to individuals, even when aware of their backgrounds. It is suggested that these visas are being issued in order to bolster the Khalistan cause and amplify its influence.
These accusations came amidst the tension between India and Canada regarding the death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Reportedly the representatives said, “The Canadian diplomats have done this deliberately and the idea was very clear — to give visa to take certain individuals out of India. Even people those who were involved in cases were given visa and sent to Canada by these diplomats."
Another point of dispute between the two nations is Canada's reluctance to assist India in extradition proceedings and investigations involving individuals who have sought refuge in Canada.
According to the report, it is also indicated that the Indian government possesses evidence of Canada's involvement in supporting the farmers' protest as well.
What did EAM S Jaishankar say?
India is looking at resuming visa services for Canadians "very soon" if it sees progress in the safety of its diplomats in Canada, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, even as he asserted that New Delhi's decision on ensuring parity in diplomatic presence with that country is in line with the Vienna Convention.
Jaishankar said the primary reason behind India temporarily stopping the visa services a few weeks ago was the concern over the safety and security of its diplomats in Canada and that Ottawa's inability to provide a secure environment to the Indian officials challenges the most fundamental aspect of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
In comments that came days after Ottawa pulled out 41 of its diplomats from India, Jaishankar said New Delhi insisted on having diplomatic parity as it had concerns about the "continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel".
"We have not made much of that public. My sense is that over a period of time, more stuff will come out and people will understand why we had the kind of discomfort with many of them which we did," he said, replying to a question on the India-Canada ties at an interactive session.
On the resumption of visa services for Canadians, government sources said India is reviewing the security situation in Canada that had led to the suspension of the services.
India has rejected Canada's contention that the move to withdraw the 41 Canadian diplomats amounted to a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
"The relationship right now is going through a difficult phase. But I do want to say that the problems we have are with a certain segment of Canadian politics and the policies which flow from that," Jaishankar said.
