Indian Minister of External Affairs Criticizes Canada for Issuing Visas to People with Links to Organized Crime: MENAFN-Live Mint

Indian Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, has criticized the Canadian government led by Justin Trudeau for issuing visas to individuals with links to organized crime for “political purposes” despite warnings from the Indian government. During an interaction on his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’ in Bhubaneswar, Jaishankar highlighted the issue, stating that the Trudeau government has given legitimacy to “extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence” in the name of free speech.

Jaishankar specifically pointed out that some individuals in Canada with “pro-Pakistan leanings” have organized themselves politically and formed an influential political lobby. He also mentioned the recent arrest of three Indian nationals residing in Edmonton for their alleged involvement in the murder of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The Minister emphasized that Canada, as a rule-of-law country, should not be fostering criminals and individuals with organized crime links. He criticized the Canadian government for welcoming such individuals despite warnings from India. Jaishankar stated that importing people with dubious backgrounds for political purposes can lead to issues and create problems in their own country.

The diplomatic tension between India and Canada escalated after Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of killing pro-Khalistan Canadian leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The Indian government has dismissed these accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.”

The Minister’s remarks have sparked a debate on the relationship between the two countries and the implications of issuing visas to individuals with links to organized crime. The issue raises concerns about national security and the need for countries to prioritize the safety and well-being of their citizens.