Envoy Patnaik Flags Security Concerns, Credits Carney For Easing Strained Ties
New Delhi : India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has rejected allegations made by the Canadian Police and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Indian diplomats were involved in homicides and extortion in Canada. Security scenarios where there is a group of people who are actually terrorising, keeping the relationship hostage. How do we deal with them? How do we deal with the law-and-order situation?” he added.
Patnaik said recent discussions between Ottawa and New Delhi have centred on the entire security situation, which includes issues related to the Khalistan movement. Patnaik argued that the Khalistan issue was not solely India’s responsibility. Canada cannot look at this situation as an Indian problem. It’s a Canadian problem. Patnaik argued that the Khalistan issue was not solely India’s responsibility. “Canada cannot look at this situation as an Indian problem.
The envoy also expressed frustration about needing personal security protection. I find it strange that a high commissioner here has to be under protection. I’m under protection. I should not be under protection in a country like this, he said. Trudeau had rejected India’s criticism of Canada’s handling of Khalistani groups, saying, They are wrong. Canada has always taken violence and threats of violence extremely seriously… We have always taken serious action against terrorism, and we always will.
Speaking to reporters later, Anand said public safety remains the first and foremost priority of the Government of Canada, adding that she raised issues of transnational repression and the need for “an independent legal investigation into crimes committed on Canadian soil. The Sikh Federation of Canada accused Ottawa of using community safety as a bargaining chip. Relations between the two countries deteriorated in 2023 after Trudeau alleged credible links between Indian agents and the killing of Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Earlier this year, the RCMP and the federal government accused Indian diplomats and consular officials of engaging in clandestine activities including homicides and extortion. Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, prompting New Delhi to expel six Canadians in return. When asked whether he could assure the Khalistani community in Canada that they would not be targeted, Patnaik responded, They never were. We never do. Extraterritorial action by India is never done.
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