Politically driven allegations, no evidence shared by Canada: India on Trudeau's claims over Nijjar killing
India, Canada tensions: In the midst of an ongoing diplomatic spat between India and Canada, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday that Canada did not share any information about the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
"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," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
"From our side, specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based on Canadian soil has been shared with Canada but not acted upon…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 further said.
The spokesperson was bombarded with questions on the tensions between the two countries following the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats.
Bagchi also stated that "parity" in diplomatic presence has been communicated to the Canadian administration.
"We informed the Canadian government to have parity with diplomatic presence, their numbers are higher and I assume there will be a reduction," he added.
Bilateral relations between India and Canada have deteriorated since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed on Monday that "Indian agents" were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.
BLS International, a visa services provider, has discontinued Indian visa services in Canada with immediate effect.
BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions throughout the world. Visa, passport, consular, attestation, and citizen services are all managed by the company.
“Due to operation reasons, with immediate effect i.e. September 21, 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended till further notice,” the company informed on Thursday.
India has, however, rejected the claims made by the Trudeau administration, terming them "absurd" and "motivated".
“We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as well as the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," MEA had said.
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- ANI
