Visas to Farmers’ Agitation, Canadian Diplomats Asked to Leave Over Evidence of Interference: Govt Sources | Exclusive

Canadian diplomats in India were removed after a lot of deliberation and careful examination of evidence placed by Indian intelligence agencies and action on ground, according to top government sources, amid the diplomatic fallout between the two countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Forty-one Canadian diplomats were forced to leave, after India set a deadline, after which their diplomatic immunities were to be stripped.

“On multiple occasions, Canadians went very soft with the visa process. Visas were also given deliberately to send certain individuals, who were under probe and were likely to face action from agencies, to Canada…," said sources.

“Their meetings with the Punjab government offices were regular and unwarranted. On certain occasions, some individuals also debriefed agencies formally and informally about the intent of Canadian officials," they added.

‘MISUSE OF VISA POWERS; NO HELP IN PROBE OR EXTRADITION’

Top government sources said that Canadian diplomats were misusing their visa powers in different consulates in Chandigarh and other areas of Punjab.

“They granted visa to people despite knowing their antecedents. Many people who have got such visas are indulging in criminal activities in Canada. These visas were given just to support the Khalistani cause so that the movement can gain maximum strength," they said.

Also, Canada is not helping India with extradition in certain cases, and even not helping with the investigations against those who have gone and taken shelter in Canada.

FARMERS’ AGITATION: ‘INSTIGATED DIASPORA’

The Indian government has evidence how the Canada government supported farmers’ agitation. Recently, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also recently said there is evidence of Canadian government’s interference in India’s internal affairs.

According to the top government sources, farmers’ agitation against changes to the laws was one of the topics where they got involved directly and indirectly and instigated the diaspora in Canada and farmers in India.

“By instigating the diaspora, they managed funding for the agitation in India. It looked absolutely legitimate, but if we look at funds, which were regular to a family, suddenly multiplied ten to twenty times," sources said.

The Indian government won’t leave this matter and will take it to all higher forums, including FATF, as a case of terror funding, said sources. They added that Canada should come clean and help India in probes going on under the federal investigation agencies, where the probe is routed through Interpol in most of the cases.