NEW DELHI: India on Friday trashed the Canadian media’s report alleging that New Delhi had been using the visa approval mechanism as a tool to “interfere” in Ottawa’s internal affairs.
In the piece, it was claimed a few Khalistani supporters in Canada were denied visas by the Indian government on the ground that they backed and propagated separatist agenda against India’s territorial integrity.
Dismissing the report as “Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to malign India”, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India holds a legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine its territorial integrity.
“We have seen media reports about this. It is yet another example of Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to malign India… Granting of Indian visas is our sovereign function and we have the legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine our territorial integrity. The commentary that we see in the Canadian media on this matter is akin to foreign interference in India’s sovereign affairs,” Jaiswal said in a press brief on Friday.
Randhir Jaiswal also spoke about the recent tragedies the Indian-origin students in Canada were subjected to and asked them to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
“In the last week, we have had unfortunate tragedies in Canada. Three Indian students have been murdered in violent crimes. We are saddened by these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada. We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. Our high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto & Vancouver are extending all possible help in the matter,” Jaiswal said.
A 20-year-old student from Punjab was shot dead in an apartment in Canada’s Edmonton last week.
The victim, identified as Harshandeep Singh, was also working as a security guard and was found dead following a shootout at around 12.30 am in the staircase of an apartment building.
In a seperate incident, a 22-year-old Indian student, Rittika Rajput, lost her life in Canada’s British Columbia on December 7, 2024, after being struck by a falling tree during a late-night outing with friends.
“They are in touch with the local authorities for a thorough investigation into these incidents. The safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals, students in particular, in Canada remains of utmost importance to us… We have also issued an advisory for our nationals and Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant given the deteriorating security environment in Canada as a result of the growing incidents of hate crimes and criminal violence,” the foreign ministry spokesperson added.
