Indian envoy: 'national security threats' coming from Canada a 'red ...
India’s envoy to Canada said “national security threats” emerging from Canadian soil are a “red line” for New Delhi, in his first public comments since the RCMP made an arrest in a killing that has rocked relations between both countries.
High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma addressed the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations Tuesday and discussed ties between Canada and India, which have frayed since Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was gunned down outside his temple in Surrey, B.C. last June.
Nijjar advocated for the creation of a Sikh state, known as Khalistan, carved out of India.
2:25 Suspects in Nijjar killing slated to make court appearance
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused agents of the Indian government of having a hand in Nijjar’s death. Last Friday, RCMP arrested and charged three Indian nationals in his homicide.
Story continues below advertisement
The suspects had a court appearance by video in Surrey, B.C. Tuesday. Karan Brar, 22, Karanpreet Singh, 28, and Kamalpreet Singh, 22 wore orange jumpsuits and responded briefly to questions.
Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
While speaking to the crowd in Montreal, India’s envoy suggested Canada lacks “understanding” about New Delhi’s concerns, which he said stem from “national security threats emanating from the land of Canada.”
9:24 Former CSIS exec on bombshell RCMP arrest of suspected hitmen in Nijjar case
Trending Now
“These threats are largely emanating from Canadian citizens,” said Verma, insisting these represent “red lines” for India.
“Indians will decide what will happen to India. Indians will decide the fate of India, not the foreigners,” he added.
Over the weekend, Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar accused Canada of welcoming criminals.
“It’s not so much a problem in the U.S.; our biggest problem right now is in Canada,” Jaishankar said Saturday.
Story continues below advertisement
“These are wanted criminals from India; you have given them visas … and yet you allow them to live there.”
But Ottawa has said India has not proven that those it accuses of terrorism have done anything illegal under Canada’s criminal code.
When asked Tuesday about Jaishankar’s comments, his Canadian counterpart Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said diplomacy should be done in private.
“Canada’s position has always been clear. Our job is to protect Canadians and we stand by the allegations a Canadian was killed on Canadian soil by Indian agents,” she said.
-with files from the Canadian Press
