India
‘Similar to foreign interference’: India denounces Canada’s visa denial disinformation campaign | India News – Times of India
The piece made a few claims Khalistani followers in Canada, visas were denied by the Indian government on the grounds that they supported and promoted the separatist agenda against India’s territorial integrity.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the report as “the Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to smear India”, saying India has a legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine its territorial integrity.
“We have seen reports about this in the media. It is yet another example of the Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to defame India… Granting Indian visas is our sovereign function and we have the legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine our territorial integrity. The commentary we are seeing in the Canadian media on this issue appears to be foreign interference in India’s sovereign affairs,” Jaiswal said in a press conference on Friday.
Randhir Jaiswal also spoke about the recent tragedies that the students of Indian origin were exposed to in Canada and asked them to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant.
“Over the past week we have experienced unfortunate tragedies in Canada. Three Indian students have been murdered in violent crimes. We are saddened by these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada. We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. The high commission in Ottawa and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are extending all possible assistance in this matter,” Jaiswal said.
A 20-year-old student from Punjab was shot dead in an apartment in Edmonton, Canada last week.
The victim, identified as Harshandeep Singh, also worked as a security guard and was found dead after a shootout in the stairs of an apartment building around 12.30 pm.
In a separate incident, a 22-year-old Indian student, Rittika Rajput, lost her life in British Columbia, Canada, on December 7, 2024, after being struck by a falling tree during a night out with friends.
“They are in contact with local authorities for a thorough investigation into these incidents. The safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals, especially students, in Canada remains of utmost importance to us… We have also issued an advisory for our nationals and Indian students should exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security situation in Canada due to increasing incidents of hate crimes and criminal violence,” the State Department spokesperson added.
