Tag: Canada

Indian Gurdwara

Indian Envoy To UK Stopped From Entering Scotland Gurdwara

By LokMarg

Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami was on Friday prevented from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to a purported video posted on the Instagram channel of ‘Sikh Youth UK,’ a man reportedly a pro-Khalistani activist was seen blocking Doraiswami from entering the Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive.

This comes amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“…They are hurting Sikhs in Canada and other places, every Sikh should protest against any Indian Ambassador like we did here in Glasgow,” the man is heard saying in the video.

The ‘Sikh Youth UK’ claims that there is an ongoing ban on Indian officials visiting the gurdwara in their official capacities.

The video shows two men near the High Commissioner’s car in the parking area. One of them is seen attempting to open the car door, which has been locked from the inside. The purported video then shows the high commissioner’s car leaving the gurdwara premises.

The video then shows another man speaking to the camera that this is how any Indian ambassador or any Indian government official who visits the Gurdwara will be treated.

“We know what games they are playing, what’s happening in Canada. The Canadian PM has openly condemned India and expelled Indian diplomats,” he said.

The incident was first reported by the Times of India TOI.

A pro-Khalistan activist told TOI that the Indian High Commissioner was supposed to hold a meeting with the gurdwara committee of the Glasgow Gurdwara on Albert Drive. The activist said: “A few people turned up and told him he is not welcome and he left. There was a slight confrontation. I don’t think the gurdwara committee is too happy about what happened. But Indian officials are not welcome in any gurdwara in the UK.”

“We are fed up with the UK-India collusion. The recent tensions since the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing have led to British Sikhs being targeted. This is to do with Avtar Singh Khanda and Jagtar Singh Johal too,” he further said.

Meanwhile, a formal reaction from the Indian High Commission in London and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the incident is awaited.

The UK incident comes amid a growing strain in India-Canada ties following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it “absurd” and “motivated.”

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Nijjar.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has highlighted incidents of threats, violence, and intimidation against Indian diplomats and missions in Canada. He has questioned whether the reaction would have been the same if a similar situation had occurred in any other country.

He further emphasized that the situation in Ottawa should not be normalized.

Addressing a press conference in Washington DC on Friday, S Jaishankar said, “…Our point is that there is today a climate of violence, an atmosphere of intimidation…Just think about it. We have had smoke bombs thrown at the mission. We have had our consulates…violence in front of them. Individuals have been targeted and intimidated. There are posters put up about people”.

The UK has meanwhile said it is in “close touch” with its Canadian partners about serious allegations made by PM Trudeau on India’s link in the alleged assassination of Nijjar.

“We are in close touch with our Canadian partners about these serious allegations,” a UK government spokesperson told ANI.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further during the ongoing investigation by the Canadian authorities,” the official said.

Recently, the United Kingdom’s Security Minister Tom Tugendhat announced new funding to enhance the UK’s capability to tackle ‘pro-Khalistan extremism.’

Tugendhat made the announcement after a meeting with Jaishankar in the national capital on August 10, the British High Commission in India said.

The 95,000-pound investment will enhance the government’s understanding of the threat posed by pro-Khalistan extremism, complementing the joint work already underway between the UK and India through the Joint-Extremism Task Force, the British High Commission said in a statement. (ANI)

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Jaishankar

Canada Very Permissive Towards Terrorists, Extremists: Jaishankar

By LokMarg

Taking a jibe at the Canadian government amid the ongoing diplomatic standoff between the two nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Canadian attitude towards terrorists, extremist people who openly advocate violence is very permissive.

Adding that there has been an issue of great friction for many years with Canada, Jaishankar said, “This has been an issue of great friction for many years with Canada. But in the last few years, it has come back very much into play because of what we consider to be a very permissive Canadian attitude towards terrorists, extremist people who openly advocate violence. And they have been given operating space in Canada because of the compulsions of Canadian politics.”

Speaking on the India-Canada row in Washington, Jaishankar stated that the Indian diplomats are unsafe going to the embassy in the country because of the situation there.

He said, “…For us, it has certainly been a country where, organized crime from India, mixed with trafficking in people, mixed with secessionism, violence, terrorism– it’s a very toxic combination of issues and people, who have found operating space there.”

“Today, I’m actually in a situation where my diplomats are unsafe going to the embassy, or to the consulate in Canada. They are publicly intimidated. And that has actually compelled me to temporarily suspend even visa operations in Canada,” he added.

Jaishankar also highlighted that he also spoke with the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US State Secretary Antony Blinken about Canada.

“Yes, I spoke to NSA Jake Sullivan and (US Secretary of State) Antony Blinken about Canada. They shared US views and assessments on this whole situation… I think hopefully we both came out of those meetings better and forward,” he added.

“The Canadian PM made some allegations initially privately, and then publicly. And our response to him, both in private and public– what he was alleging was not consistent with our policy. And that if he had, if his government had anything relevant and specific they would like us to look into, we were open to looking at it. Now, that’s where that conversation is at this point of time,” Jaishankar said.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country. 

However, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a week ago had accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This was followed by the expulsion of an Indian diplomat from Canada. 

Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara in a parking area in Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. (ANI)

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Justin Trudeau

Trudeau Apologises On Behalf Of Canadian Parliament For Honouring Nazi Veteran

By LokMarg

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised on behalf of the Canadian Parliament for honouring a Nazi veteran during an event last week, however, refused to accept the blame personally.

The Opposition has come guns blazing at PM Trudeau over the incident, demanding him to apologise, and calling it a huge embarrassment for the country.

On September 22, during Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy’s speech in Canada’s Parliament, 98-year-old Ukrainian Yaroslav Hunka, who served in the first Ukrainian division, also known as the SS division “Galicia” during World War II was honoured by the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada Anthony Rota.

“This was a mistake that has deeply embarrassed Parliament and Canada. All of us who were in this House on Friday regret deeply having stood and clapped even though we did so unaware of the context,” CBC News quoted Trudeau as saying in a brief statement to reporters.

He also said that the Speaker was “solely responsible” for the invitation and recognition of this man, and “he wholly accepted that responsibility and stepped down”.

“It was a horrendous violation of the memory of the millions of people who died in the Holocaust,” he said, adding the celebration of ex-soldier Yaroslav Hunka was “deeply, deeply painful” to Jewish people, Poles, Roma, the LGBT community and other racialized people in particular — some of the groups that were targeted by the Nazi regime in the Second World War.

Trudeau also said that “Canada is deeply sorry” for involving Zelenskyy, who was pictured applauding Hunka — an image that has been exploited by Russian propagandists, CBC News reported.

Canada has sent an apology to Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation through diplomatic channels, Trudeau added.

CBC News reported citing Liberal caucus sources that Trudeau has told MPs on Wednesday to avoid speaking to the press about Hunka’s invitation and the subsequent fallout, and that the media frenzy would die down if they stayed tight-lipped.

Meanwhile, Canada’s opposition leader, Pierre Poilevre, has lashed out at the Trudeau government, asking if the country has seen a bigger “diplomatic embarrassment” in history.

“The success of diplomatic visits is the personal responsibility of the Prime Minister of Canada: Justin Trudeau. Instead, we have an unprecedented global embarrassment for our country under his watch. What a disgrace,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He had earlier called the incident the “greatest diplomatic embarrassment” in the country’s history.

“Has there ever been a greater diplomatic embarrassment in the history of our country?” he asked

Earlier on Tuesday, Anthony Rota resigned as the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons on Tuesday amid building pressure over the controversy, Canada-based Global News reported.

Rota announced his resignation in the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon. His resignation takes effect at the end of business day Wednesday, he added.

“I must step down as your Speaker,” he said, adding, “I reiterate my profound regret.” (ANI)

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Baloch Leader Questions Canada

Baloch Leader Questions Canada For Not Investigating Murder Of Baloch Activist

By LokMarg

The President of Baloch Voice Association (BVA), Munir Mengal on Tuesday questioned the Canadian authorities for not investigating the “mysterious” death of Human rights activist, Karima Baloch and requested them to public the evidence they found in the case.

“To the Canadian government and particularly to the Prime Minister of Canada, we Baloch are looking to your organization and we are asking you please do reinvestigate the case of Karima Baloch and whatever facts your organizations, your authorities, your police has. Please publish that and give us under what circumstances she was killed and who was behind that killing,” Mengal said.

BVA President shared that a document was given to the Canadian government to seek response from them about the update in the case but he said they didn’t get any follow-up from the Canadian authorities.

He added, “We submitted a document to the Canadian embassy and they said that we will contact our government and we will reply you as soon as possible. Unfortunately, approximately three years passed. Till now, we have not received any information from the Canadian authorities when Karima was eliminated. And after that, we saw a statement by the police authorities that there’s no wrong doing in the case of her death.”

Claiming that his organisation has lots of evidence against the Pakistan security force ISI and alleged that ISI is behind the killing of Baloch based Human rights activists.

Mengal further said, “Baloch people, we as an organization, we have a lot of evidences that in such sort of cases there’s the Pakistani secret services that’s called ISI. And she’s very much notorious and she has a lot of experience with respect to this. And there are many cases and incidents that Pakistani security forces ISI has done this sort of killings where their hands are masked.”

Karima Baloch was a Baloch human rights activist and a dissident. She was granted asylum in Canada in 2016. She was found dead after having gone missing in Dec 2020 in Toronto.

She was slated to be buried on January 25, but, before the corpse could be transported from Karachi to Balochistan, Pakistani authorities forcibly took Karima’s body along with her family from the airport to her hometown, Balochwarna reported.

Later, she was buried under Army watch as thousands who came to pay their last respect weren’t allowed near her, the Balochistan Times reported. Prior to her burial, the mobile services were suspended in the district, and Tump and surrounding areas were put under strict lockdown.

Karima’s death sparked protests across Europe and North America as the Baloch diaspora took to the streets in Toronto, Berlin and Netherlands calling on the Canadian government to investigate.

Karima had campaigned vigorously against the disappearances and human rights violations in the troubled Balochistan province of Pakistan. (ANI)

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Eric Garcetti US Ambassador To India

We Care About Both India And Canada, Says US Envoy Garcetti

By LokMarg

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti has reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada. Garcetti’s comments on Tuesday come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar. 

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti’s comments shortly after US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller said that the US was concerned made by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the killing of Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India. 

“We are deeply concerned by the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau. We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners, as the Secretary said on Friday” the State Department spokesperson said. 

Meanwhile, the US envoy to India who was attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) highlighted that India will again probably be the number one source of students from across the world and the US is very close to adjudicated one million visa applications in India. 

Garcetti said, “A record number of student visas were processed this summer. Now, India, again, will probably be the number one source of students from across the world.”

He further said that the US is anticipating 25 per cent of foreign students just from India.  

“25 per cent we anticipate of foreign students in the United States will come just from India. And then, second, we also are very close to our 1 million visa application in India being adjudicated, which will be a brand new record as well,” Garcetti said. 

He further noted that the US is not doing this with more people.

“We’re not doing this with more people. We’re just working harder, working smarter, and making sure more Indians can come to America,” he added. 

Speaking about the IPACC, Garcetti said that it highlights how close the US and India have become to co-host all the heads of armies from around the Indo-Pacific region. 

“It’s not just the closeness of the two nations. It’s the integration of all nations, both of us speaking for a free, prosperous Indo-Pacific. It’s our values that guide this. And I’m so excited to see and to demonstrate the strength not only of a bilateral relationship but what happens when India and the United States are together,” he said. 

Earlier today, the US Army’s Chief of Staff General Randy George on Tuesday said the partnership between the US and Indian Army is vital for stability in the Indo-Pacific and the relationship between the armies is strong and growing stronger.

The armies of India and the United States will host the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. (ANI)

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Canadian Army Deputy Chief

Canadian Army Deputy Chief In India For ‘Army-To-Army Relations’

By LokMarg

Canada’s Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar does not impact the Canadian Army contingents presence here at the Indo-Pacific Conference and they are here to build relationships from army to army and let both governments deal with it. 

“I am fully aware of, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement. The government’s stance and the government’s request for India to participate in, and cooperate in the investigation. But, really, that has no impact on us here at the Indo-Pacific conference. We’re really here to build relationships from army to army, and we’ll let our governments deal with that issue, themselves,” Major General Scott said. 

Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott is currently attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC). 

Expressing his delight, Scott said that Canada is looking forward to participating in training or exercises with the partners in the Indo-Pacific region. 

“We’re very grateful to be here as part of the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPAC), 2023. Canada continues to look for opportunities where we can participate in training or exercises with partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. 

He further said that this conference provides a forum where they can meet with other leaders of other nations of similar interests. 

“We’re very happy to be here and very gracious for India to be hosting this,” he added. 

Scott highlighted that between the India-Canada armies, areas of interest can be found and perhaps areas to continue to train, to exchange officers, to look for education opportunities, and exercises, “where we continue to participate as two different armies where we can both learn from each other and pass on great lessons to each nation.” 

Major General Peter Scott also highlighted his meeting with the Indian army commander general Manoj Pande on Monday. 

“Last night, I had the honour of meeting personally your army commander. We chatted for a few minutes. He’s very grateful for Canada to be here, and I mentioned him,” he said. 

The armies of India and the United States are hosting the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. 

Speaking at the conference Army Chief General Manoj Pande stressed on the fact that the security of one nation in the region was linked to its neighbour.

“The challenges we face transcend across borders, and our response to them must factor this. The Indo-Pacific region is not merely a collection of nations – it is a web of interdependencies. We are bound by geography, and our destinies are intertwined. The security and prosperity of one nation is intrinsically linked to the security and prosperity of its neighbours, and much beyond” General Pande said.

This year’s conference’s theme is “Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.”There will be both larger plenary sessions and more intimate break-out sessions at the conference. Participants will take part in vibrant conversations on subjects including peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid/disaster relief, leadership development, and women’s emancipation as well as hear from eminent guest speakers.

Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. (ANI) 

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BKI NIA

BKI Trying To Settle Key Aides Across The World: NIA

By LokMarg

Pro-Khalistani banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is trying to settle its important members and executors abroad in the countries of their wish, with the help of Pro-Khalistan Elements (PKEs) who are well settled in various countries across the world.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) charge-sheet filed in March this year reveals that the BKI’s move has created a symbiotic terrorist-gangster network, between gangster and Pro-Khalistan elements which fulfil their requirement of the shooters to carry out targeted killings.

In return the gangsters get access to sophisticated weapons from across the border.

In the charge-sheet, the NIA said it was the BKI that targeted and attacked important security installations which was manifested in the form of RPG terror attacks on intelligence headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali, RPG attack on Sarhali Police Station in Tarn Taran and an IED blast on Crime Investigating Agency (CIA), Ropar.

“All the executioners-accused are from outside states including Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Only harbourers and logistic supporters are from state. They are directly supervised by their gang handlers from abroad who further work on directions of BKI,” the charge-sheet mentions.

As per the NIA, the BKI militants have their presence outside of India in Pakistan, North America, Europe and Scandinavia.

“The BKI at present is active in the US, Canada, the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Pakistan. The terror group continues its operations from Pakistan with the support of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It has been officially banned and designated as an international terrorist organisation by several countries India, Canada, European Union, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and the USA.”

Currently, the agency said, Wadhwa Singh Babbar, who is hiding in Pakistan, heads the outfit. “Mehal Singh is the deputy chief of BKI. Both, Mehal Singh and Wadhwa Singh are amongst the 20 terrorists whom India wants Pakistan to extradite” the chargesheet says.

“Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, a gangster tured terrorist has been involved in murders, attempt to murder, contract killing, robberies and extortions and is presently based in Pakistan, has been actively operating for BKI since 2020” the chargesheet adds. 

Wadhwa Singh Babbar has personally supervised the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh on August 31, 1995, the agency said.

“Wadhwa Singh is also believed to have masterminded the January 2004 escape of the assassinationaccused, Jagtar Singh Hawara, from the Burail jail in Chandigarh.”

The BKI has also established relations with Dawood Ibrahim, who heads the D Company, a terror gangster syndicate based and operating in Mumbai and surrounding areas, points the charge-sheet.

The NIA filed the charge-sheet in a special court in Delhi on March 24 this year in a case being probed by the agency after registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on August 26, 2022. Earlier, the Special Cell of Delhi Police had registered a case in this matter on August 4, 2022.

A total of 16 gangsters were named in the charge-sheet which further revealed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate formed alliance with the Pro-Khalistan cause, to satisfy its quest for sophisticated weapons and to further invest the proceeds of terrorism generated through their existing extortion rackets.

“The requirement of sophisticated weapons that includes assault weapons, hand grenades, IEDs, explosives etc. could not be met within the country. Therefore, they aligned themselves with Harwinder Singh alias Rinda through his old association with Lawrence Bishnoi which was further strengthened by close association of Lakhbir Singh alias Landa with Goldy Brar,” it reads.

Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Harwinder Singh alias Rinda are presently the most important associates of Wadhawa Singh Babbar lead BKI.

Even after the terrorist-secessionist movement for Khalistan was comprehensively defeated in 1995, there remain a handful of terrorist outfits chiefly supported by Pakistan and some non-resident Indian Sikh radical groups who continue to propagate the ideology of Khalistan. One of the most prominent among them is the Babbar Khalsa International. It is among the oldest and most organised Khalistan terrorist groups.

The BKI traces its origin to the Babbar Akali Movement of 1920 and is believed to have assumed its present form after the Baisakhi 1978-clashes between the Akhand Kirtani Jatha and Nirankaris and more particularly when some followers of Bibi Amarjit Kaur brought out some leaflets styling themselves as Babbar Khalsa after the killing of Nirankari chief Gurbachan Singh, on April 24, 1980. Subsequently, the outfit started targeting all those who sympathised with the Nirankaris.

Sukhdev Singh Babbar and Talwinder Singh Parmar were the founding members of this organisation. The first unit of the BKI was founded in Canada in 1981 under the leadership of late Talwinder Singh Parmar. (ANI)

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Indian Canada

Resolve Issue Through Dialogue: Indian Community In Canada

By LokMarg

The Indian Community in Canada is concerned over the recent strain in relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’ allegations regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

Senior Canadian Journalist Harleem Sadia said that the Indian community has concerns which are very genuine.

She said common people are now finding it difficult to travel to India and Canada. It is difficult for people who lead normal lives, have regular jobs.

Canadian citizen of Indian origin Gurjant Singh said that being a Sikh, both India and Canada are extremely important to him and the recent tensions deeply concern him.

Gurjant Singh feels the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

“I am very concerned about the matter and I think everything should be resolved through dialogue. Anything, any issue can be discussed, solved at the table. Both the Indian and Canadian governments should put up their point of views while remaining within their lines, boundaries.” he said.

Last week, Justin Trudeau claimed that his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government were behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Nijjar. 

“Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Trudeau had said.

On Trudeau’s claims, Gurjant said: “Being a Prime Minister, you cannot claim anything that you cannot later prove. Whatever the Canadian PM said was wrong. Now that he has said it, he should be able to support his statement.”

Gurjant further said that his parents were supposed to come to Canada in January. “But for now, for this reason, they won’t be coming. But my problem is small when looked at from a larger scale,” he said.

He further said that any demands should be made within the line, by keeping control on “our language, emotions.”

Meanwhile, Canadian citizen Ajaib Singh has said relations between the two countries should get better for the sake of Indian students studying in Canada.

“Students come to Canada for a better future. They study here, get good jobs and also become residents here. Parents also want their children to have a better future in Canada. Some also go back to India after their studies. They also go back for a better future,” Ajaib said.

“For the sake of these students, I pray that relations between India, Canada get better,” he said.

He added that India, Canada should resolve their issues at the table and that visa ban is not the solution, innocent people should not be punished. “I urge the leaders of both countries to sit at the table, resolve the issue amicably,” he said.

India on Thursday said that security threats being faced by the country’s High Commission and Consulates in Canada have disrupted their normal functioning and they are temporarily unable to process visa applications.

Answering queries during the weekly press conference,  Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the issue is the incitement of violence, inaction by Canadian authorities and the creation of an environment that “disrupts the functioning of our consulates”.

The remarks came hours after visa services provider BLS International said that it has with immediate effect suspended Indian visa services in Canada.

Ajaib said “The future in unclear right now, we don’t know which statement will come which day. The faster the issues get resolved, the better.” 

Senior Canadian journalist Tahir Gora said he wants the Indian community’s opinion to be brought forward on the India-Canada diplomatic standoff.

“Right now, there is a strain in India, Canada relations. We want that the Indian community’s opinion should be brought forward. The people understand that this issue will stretch for a long time We want to know what the current situation is and if it will deteriorate in the coming days,” he said.

Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair has urged India, Canada to start talking to find a common ground in view of the recent strain in relations, CBC News reported.

“I really want [the two countries I love] to start talking. I know once they start talking, once they really want to help their citizens, I’m pretty sure they’ll find common ground to make friends,” Blair said in an interview on Rosemary Barton Live on CBC News which aired on Sunday. (ANI)

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India Canada US

Both India And Canada Our Important Partners: US

By LokMarg

Amid the rising tensions between India and Canada, US State Department’s Hindustani Spokesperson Margaret MacLeod on Thursday emphasized that the US has their own relations with India and Canada, noting that both are important for the United States.   

Macleod further said that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations are concerning. 

‘The allegations levied by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau are very concerning. We are keeping in touch with our Canadian allies. We urge the Indian govt to cooperate in this investigation,” she added. 

Notably, she said, “US and Canada have their own relation and US and India have their own relation, both are important partners for us. But most importantly, the guilty should be brought to justice.” 

Earlier today, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson rejected reports of the US rebuffing Canada after the latter accused the Indian government of being behind the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Watson said they are “coordinating and consulting” with Canada and also “engaging” with the Indian government.

Watson made the statement in response to reports in the American media that Washington has distanced itself from Canada’s allegation about New Delhi’s involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani leader in India. The report highlighted the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration as it seeks to maintain strong relations with both India and Canada.

Earlier, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said “serious allegations” were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Nijjar, adding that the US wanted the matter handled in a “transparent” way.

In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation. “These allegations are serious and we know that Canadians are investigating and we certainly don’t want to get ahead of that investigation. We urge India to cooperate in that investigation as well,” Kirby said in the interview.

Moreover, on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the allegations made by Canada regarding the “potential links” of India being behind the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are “politically driven”.

“Yes, I do think there is a degree of prejudice here. They have made allegations and taken action against them. To us, it seems that these allegations by the government of Canada are primarily politically driven,” Bagchi said. 

Bilateral relations between India and Canada have hit a sharp downward spiral after Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged that “Indian agents” were behind the shooting of Hardeep Nijjar.

Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) — a Sikh extremist organisation banned by India and a “designated terrorist” was killed in a targeted shooting at British Columbia in Canada’s Surrey in June 2018.

India, however, rejected the allegations by the Trudeau administration, terming them “absurd” and “motivated”.

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. (ANI)

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Indian Canada

Indian Visa Services In Canada Suspended Till Further Notice

By LokMarg

The Indian Mission in Canada on Thursday suspended visa services till further notice citing operational reasons, according to BLS International.

BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.

As per BLS International , interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

“Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates,” the BLS website said.

This comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government” carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. 

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated” the statement said. 

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. (ANI)

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