India on Dec.13 slammed Canada for spreading wrong information on visa issuance by the Indian High Commission. During a media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized Canadian media for accusing India of denying visa to Indian-origin Canadians.
“This is another example in our understanding of the kind of disinformation campaign that the Canadian media is running to defame us. As far as visa is concerned, it is a sovereign function of any country, be it India or any other country,” Jaiswal responded to a reporter. “To whom we give visa or not is our own internal matter. And it should be respected. And it is our legitimate right to give or not give visa to anyone, especially to those people who speak against us, who want to divide us, this is our own right, to give them visa or not.”
Media reports in Canada have claimed that New Delhi has been denying visas to pro-Khalistan Canadian citizens.
Jaiswal said: “The kind of comments we are seeing in the Canadian media, it seems as if the foreign interference they are talking about, they are interfering in our work. Foreign interference from their side is happening in our sovereign affairs.”
Jaiswal also spoke about the recent tragedies in Canada, where Indian-origin students were murdered in violent crimes.
“Three Indian students have been murdered in violent crimes. We are deeply saddened by these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, grieving families,” he said.
Jaiswal further stated that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and Indians consulates in Vancouver and Toronto were in touch with the families.
“They are also pushing very hard, following up with the local authorities for thorough investigation in the matter,” he assured. “Safety and security and welfare of Indian nationals, in particular students, for us in Canada and elsewhere is a matter of paramount importance. Our High Commission in Ottawa and our consulates are in regular touch with local authorities for their welfare and for their safety.”
The MEA has also issued advisory for Indian nationals, asking them to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security environment in Canada as a result of the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence.
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