MEA 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.
According to the article, several Khalistani followers in Canada were refused visas by the Indian government because they supported and spread separatist ideas that threatened India’s territorial integrity.
Spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the claim as “Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to malign India” and asserted that India has the right to refuse visas to anybody who compromises its territorial integrity.
Our sovereign responsibility is to grant Indian visas, and we have the right to refuse visas to individuals who threaten our territorial integrity. This is just another instance of the disinformation effort by Canadian media to defame India. In a news briefing on Friday, Jaiswal stated, “The commentary we see in the Canadian media on this matter is akin to foreign interference in India’s sovereign affairs.”
“Unfortunately, Canada has seen tragedies in the past week. There have been three horrific murders of Indian students. These horrific catastrophes that have befallen our Canadian citizens sadden us. We offer the bereaved families our sincerest sympathies. Our consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as our high commission in Ottawa, are offering all assistance they can in this regard,” Jaiswal stated.
Additionally, Randhir Jaiswal discussed the recent tragedies that Indian-origin students in Canada had to endure and urged them to be extremely cautious and watchful.
