Indian Foreign Ministry’s statement on Nijjar controversy
india on thursday (September 21) accused the Canadian government of providing safe haven to terrorists. This has
come to light amid the souring of diplomatic relations between india and canada over the murder of Khalistan
supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed the media and said that the bigger
issue is terrorism, terror-financing and providing safe haven to terrorists abroad. He said, “Terrorism is being
financed and supported by our western neighbor Pakistan, but safe havens and areas of operation are being provided
in foreign countries, including Canada.” He added, “We want the Canadian government to stop providing safe
havens to terrorists and to take action against those facing terrorism charges or send them here to data-face charges.”
‘Canada needs to worry’
india also said that if any country needs to worry about its international reputation, it is Canada. If you talk about
reputational damage, it is canada that needs to address its growing reputation as a safe haven for terrorists,
extremists and organized crime, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. He also said that india has sought the
extradition of at least 20-25 persons in the last few years, but Canada's response has not been helpful at all. Bagchi
said india did not receive any specific information from canada on terrorist activities and the killing of Khalistan
Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead by two unidentified assailants outside the
gurudwara on june 18 this year. Bagchi said, No specific information has been shared by canada then or now on
this matter. We are interested to see any specific information on this, but so far we have not received any
information from Canada. The spokesperson said india had shared very specific information on criminal activities
on Canadian soil, but the country did not act on it.