Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, during a press conference, revealed that Indian officials have been maintaining contact with their Canadian counterparts across various levels. However, he clarified that he did not possess any specific information regarding a recent meeting between India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and Canada's Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly.
Arindam Bagchi was prompted to address this matter due to the news reports circulating about Jaishankar's purported meeting with his Canadian counterpart. He responded by stating, "We have been in touch with Canadians at various levels. Regarding any specific interaction, I don't have any particular information to share."
It is noteworthy that diplomatic relations between India and Canada have faced recent challenges, stemming from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations, made on September 19, of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, a Canadian citizen, tragically fell victim to an attack by two masked assailants on June 18 in British Columbia.
Furthermore, Arindam Bagchi addressed the concerns raised by Trudeau regarding "respecting the rule of law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations" in discussions with other nations. Bagchi expressed his reservations about the effectiveness of such discussions in addressing the core issue at hand. He emphasized that the fundamental problem revolves around Canada's tolerance of terrorist and criminal elements.
Bagchi stressed, "We would urge Canada to take seriously their international obligations to provide security for our diplomats and their premises. Everything India is doing is in compliance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."
Following Canada's claims of "Indian agents" being involved in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India firmly rejected these allegations, dismissing them as "absurd" and "motivated." In response to Canada's expulsion of an Indian official, New Delhi reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat, signaling the strain in their diplomatic relationship.
Â
