'No Evidence Whatsoever': Centre On Canada's 'Serious Allegations' Against India

(Photo: ANI)

India-Canada Ties: Responding to a query pertaining to the recent developments in criminal cases allegedly involving the "Indian citizens/officials in the United States and Canada," the Union Government on Friday said that Ottawa has presented "no evidence whatsoever" in support of the "serious allegations" it has chosen to level.

The Central Government informed the Lok Sabha on Friday when asked whether the PM Modi-led government has taken note of the recent developments in criminal cases allegedly involving the Indian citizens in that country.

In a written response, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said, "In addition, its public narrative on this issue appears to be in service of an anti-India separatist agenda."

"Persisting with such a narrative can only be harmful for any stable bilateral relationship. The government has, therefore, repeatedly urged the Canadian authorities to take action against anti-India elements operating from their soil," he said.

Congress MP Manish Tewari, in his query, asked whether the Union government has taken note of the recent developments in criminal cases allegedly involving the "Indian citizens/officials in the United States and Canada" and, if so, the impact these cases are likely to have on India's bilateral relations with these countries.

He also asked whether the government has "engaged diplomatically" with the governments of the US and Canada to "address concerns" regarding these cases.

"The government is aware of the allegations about the involvement of the Indian nationals in purported acts or intent in the US and Canada. As part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States, certain inputs shared by the US side pertaining to the nexus between organized criminals, gun runners, terrorists, and others that impinge on India's national security interests as well are being examined by a high-level inquiry committee that has been constituted for this purpose," the minister said.

Singh, in his response, also said that as far as Canada is concerned, "it has presented no evidence whatsoever in support of the serious allegations it has chosen to level."

"In addition, its public narrative on this issue appears to be in service of an anti-India separatist agenda," he said.

The minister was also asked about the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the government to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals residing in the US and Canada, particularly in light of any "potential fallout" of these matters.

"The welfare, safety, and security of the Indian nationals, who are living, working, and studying in the US and Canada, remain of utmost importance to the government of India. Issues faced by the Indian nationals in the US and Canada are brought to the attention of relevant authorities, whenever they arise, for swift redressal," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)