News Analysis India

Tag: Canada

  • Canada’s Biggest Gold, Cash Heist: Third Indian-Origin Man Arrested In CAD 22 Million Theft Case | India News

    An Indian-origin man has been arrested in Canada in connection with a big gold heist of millions at Toronto’s main airport, according to PTI. This arrest of this 36-year-old man comes nearly a month after the capture of five individuals implicated in the robbery, which stands as the largest in the nation’s history.

    In April last year, an air cargo container was stolen from a secure storage facility by using counterfeit documents. The cargo container had arrived on a Canada-bound flight from Zurich, Switzerland. After it landed at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, the cargo was offloaded and transported to a safe location, soon after which it was reported missing.

    The vanished cargo had 6600 bars of pure gold, weighing 400 kg, which were valued at over 20 million dollars and contained foreign currencies worth 2.5 Canadian million dollars.

    During the probe, on May 6, 2024, the police apprehended a person named Archit Grover as he flew back from India. As per the PTI’s report citing the police official, there was a Canada-wide arrest warrant against him for an alleged theft of over 5,000 Canadian dollars and conspiracy to commit an indictable criminal act. Grover is also accused in the United States of firearm-related charges.

    Last month, authorities arrested five individuals with Indian origin hailing from Ontario: Parmpal Sidhu, aged 54, and Amit Jalota, aged 40. Ammad Chaudhary (43), Ali Raza (37), and Prasath Paramalingam (35) were also held in connection. with the case.

    Police reports suggest that at least two former Air Canada employees were allegedly aided in the theft. One of them is currently in custody, while an arrest warrant has been issued for the other.

  • Higgsfield AI Unveils Image To Video Generator App: Check How It Works |

    New Delhi: Higgsfield AI, a video AI company, has recently launched its first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered app for smartphones, named Diffuse. This mobile application serves as an image-to-video generator. As per the details, it is capable of transforming a selfie into a lifelike character within a video.

    What Is Diffuse?

    Diffuse, the brainchild of Higgsfield AI, launched to change video content creation by offering users the ability to seamlessly integrate themselves into videos. (Also Read: Customer Gets Delayed Food Delivery On Tuesday, Swiggy Blames ‘Weekend Peak Hour’, Chat Goes Viral)

    How Diffuse Works?

    The app utilizes advanced AI algorithms to generate personalized characters with lifelike motion, all from a single selfie. (Also Read: Security Alert For Android Users! Indian Govt Issued High-Risk Warning: Read More)

    Diffuse: Availability

    Initially, Diffuse is being gradually introduced to select markets, with availability on both Android and iOS platforms. Users in regions such as India, South Africa, the Philippines, Canada, and countries in Central Asia can access the app as it is gradually rolled out.

    Diffuse: Features

    With Diffuse, users have the flexibility to choose from a library of video content or create personalized videos from scratch using text, images, or existing video clips.

    AI Technology Behind Diffuse

    Higgsfield AI is committed to developing cutting-edge AI technology to power Diffuse and future endeavors. The company’s foundational model, built entirely from scratch, employs transformer architectures similar to those used by OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Additionally, Higgsfield AI has leveraged proprietary frameworks developed in-house to efficiently train its AI model on limited GPU resources.

    Future Plans

    While Diffuse is currently available in preview mode, offering 2-second video generation, Higgsfield AI aims to enhance its capabilities further. The company’s ultimate goal is to achieve realistic, detailed, and fluid video generation directly on mobile devices. Although the full version release date remains undisclosed, Higgsfield AI continues to work towards refining its AI technology for public release.

  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hints at possible resumption of visa services for Canadians

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India is reviewing the security system in Canada, which led to the suspension of visa services for Canadians. This indicates a possible resumption of visa services, that were suspended nearly a month back (September 21st).

    Canada had temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. On October 19, Canada also updated its travel advisory for India, noting the presence of calls for protests and an adverse sentiment towards Canada in both traditional media and social media platforms.

    All these follow a row triggered by Ottawa’s claim that it has “credible allegations” linking agents of New Delhi to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Sikh terrorist. 

    Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave on Sunday, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar said that the main reason for the suspension of visa services to Canadians was “because of the security threat that our diplomats face in Canada.”

    “In such a situation,” he added, “it would not be possible for diplomats to reach the mission to issue visas. However, we are reviewing the security situation now and depending on the progress we would like to resume visa issuances to Canadians and it should happen very soon.”

    Meanwhile, putting speculation to rest on whether this statement was an outcome of Five Eyes being in sync with Canada, Former Ambassador PS Raghavan said that this indicated that Canada had given India assurances on security.

    “The hint from Dr Jaishankar that there could be an improvement in security conditions, leading to a restoration of visa services, may mean that some quiet discussions have taken place about credible assurance from Canada on security cover for our diplomats in that country,” Former Ambassador PS Raghavan told The New Indian Express.

    The security concerns that Indian diplomats have faced in Canada are genuine. Indian diplomats posted in Canada have faced several problems in the past too from Khalistani supporters, a source claimed.

    Dr Jaishankar said that India was tracking the safety concerns of the Indian diplomats in Canada and there was optimism that they would soon be able to resume duty which would lead to the resuming of visa and consular services.

    He also reiterated that according to the Vienna Convention, diplomats should get security from the host country.

    Regarding the downsizing of diplomatic strength of the Canadians in India, in a bid to seek parity, Dr Jaishankar said this move was completely in sync with Vienna Convention.

    “I would also like to say that one major reason for seeking diplomatic parity was that Canadian diplomats in India were continuously interfering in our internal affairs – which we have not yet made public. We had discomfort with many of them, and soon people will realise why we had discomfort with many of them,’’ said Dr Jaishankar.

    The minister also pointed out that the relationship between India and Canada was going through a difficult phase.

    “The problem that we have is from a certain segment of Canadians and the policies that flow from it. I want people to understand in a sense the extent of the issue,’’ he added.  Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: India is reviewing the security system in Canada, which led to the suspension of visa services for Canadians. This indicates a possible resumption of visa services, that were suspended nearly a month back (September 21st).

    Canada had temporarily suspended visa and in-person consular services in Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. On October 19, Canada also updated its travel advisory for India, noting the presence of calls for protests and an adverse sentiment towards Canada in both traditional media and social media platforms.

    All these follow a row triggered by Ottawa’s claim that it has “credible allegations” linking agents of New Delhi to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Sikh terrorist. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave on Sunday, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar said that the main reason for the suspension of visa services to Canadians was “because of the security threat that our diplomats face in Canada.”

    “In such a situation,” he added, “it would not be possible for diplomats to reach the mission to issue visas. However, we are reviewing the security situation now and depending on the progress we would like to resume visa issuances to Canadians and it should happen very soon.”

    Meanwhile, putting speculation to rest on whether this statement was an outcome of Five Eyes being in sync with Canada, Former Ambassador PS Raghavan said that this indicated that Canada had given India assurances on security.

    “The hint from Dr Jaishankar that there could be an improvement in security conditions, leading to a restoration of visa services, may mean that some quiet discussions have taken place about credible assurance from Canada on security cover for our diplomats in that country,” Former Ambassador PS Raghavan told The New Indian Express.

    The security concerns that Indian diplomats have faced in Canada are genuine. Indian diplomats posted in Canada have faced several problems in the past too from Khalistani supporters, a source claimed.

    Dr Jaishankar said that India was tracking the safety concerns of the Indian diplomats in Canada and there was optimism that they would soon be able to resume duty which would lead to the resuming of visa and consular services.

    He also reiterated that according to the Vienna Convention, diplomats should get security from the host country.

    Regarding the downsizing of diplomatic strength of the Canadians in India, in a bid to seek parity, Dr Jaishankar said this move was completely in sync with Vienna Convention.

    “I would also like to say that one major reason for seeking diplomatic parity was that Canadian diplomats in India were continuously interfering in our internal affairs – which we have not yet made public. We had discomfort with many of them, and soon people will realise why we had discomfort with many of them,’’ said Dr Jaishankar.

    The minister also pointed out that the relationship between India and Canada was going through a difficult phase.

    “The problem that we have is from a certain segment of Canadians and the policies that flow from it. I want people to understand in a sense the extent of the issue,’’ he added.  Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • India-Canada relations going through difficult phase: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India invoked the provision of parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi’s affairs by Canadian personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday.

    The external affairs minister also said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last month of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

    Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country.

    “If we see progress in safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there,” Jaishankar said at an event while replying to a question on India-Canada ties.

    On downsizing Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, he said diplomatic parity is very much provided for in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    “Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this. In our case, we invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel,” Jaishankar said.

    Canada has already withdrawn 41 of its diplomats from India.

    Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, announcing the return of the diplomats from India, on Thursday described New Delhi’s action as “contrary to international law,” and in violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    India has already rejected the charge.

    Jaishankar said the relationship between India and Canada right now is going through a difficult phase, adding that India has problems with certain segments of Canadian politics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: India invoked the provision of parity in Canada’s diplomatic presence in the country in view of concerns over interference in New Delhi’s affairs by Canadian personnel, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday.

    The external affairs minister also said that India is likely to resume issuance of visas to Canadians if it sees progress in the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last month of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India announced temporarily suspending issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country.

    “If we see progress in safety of our diplomats in Canada, we would like to resume issuance of visas there,” Jaishankar said at an event while replying to a question on India-Canada ties.

    On downsizing Canada’s diplomatic presence in India, he said diplomatic parity is very much provided for in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    “Parity is very much provided for by the Vienna Convention, which is the relevant international rule on this. In our case, we invoked parity because we had concerns about continuous interference in our affairs by Canadian personnel,” Jaishankar said.

    Canada has already withdrawn 41 of its diplomats from India.

    Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, announcing the return of the diplomats from India, on Thursday described New Delhi’s action as “contrary to international law,” and in violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

    India has already rejected the charge.

    Jaishankar said the relationship between India and Canada right now is going through a difficult phase, adding that India has problems with certain segments of Canadian politics. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Five Eyes members US, UK back Canada after it withdraws 41 diplomats from India

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The US and UK, who are part of the Five Eyes alliance, have extended support to Canada after it withdrew 41 diplomats from India. This followed India seeking parity in the number of diplomats.

    “Resolving differences requires communication and diplomats in respective Capitals. We do not agree with the Indian government’s decision that has resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India,” said the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    The FCDO further said that they expect all states to uphold their obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

    “The unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles of the effective functioning of the Vienna Convention,” it added.

    The US State Department also expressed concern at the departure of Canadian diplomats from India.

    ALSO READ | 41 diplomats leave, Canada, India spar on violating norms

    “We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian governments demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India,” it said.

    India, however, maintains that it has not violated the Vienna Convention by seeking diplomatic parity with Canada.

    India said that seeking diplomatic parity is fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention. This article states: “In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and the needs of the particular mission.”

    Meanwhile, both the US and the UK reiterated their call for India to cooperate in Canada’s investigation into the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation last month about the involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Nijjar triggered the ongoing diplomatic row. India rejected the accusation as “absurd” and sought parity in diplomatic presence soon after.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s domestic intelligence chief has said he has no reason to dispute Canada’s claims of a possible link between the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar. Asked by Australia’s ABC News for his assessment of Canada’s allegations, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director general Mike Burgess said (in California) that he would have “no reason to dispute what the Canadian government has said in this matter”. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: The US and UK, who are part of the Five Eyes alliance, have extended support to Canada after it withdrew 41 diplomats from India. This followed India seeking parity in the number of diplomats.

    “Resolving differences requires communication and diplomats in respective Capitals. We do not agree with the Indian government’s decision that has resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India,” said the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

    The FCDO further said that they expect all states to uphold their obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles of the effective functioning of the Vienna Convention,” it added.

    The US State Department also expressed concern at the departure of Canadian diplomats from India.

    ALSO READ | 41 diplomats leave, Canada, India spar on violating norms

    “We are concerned by the departure of Canadian diplomats from India, in response to the Indian governments demand of Canada to significantly reduce its diplomatic presence in India,” it said.

    India, however, maintains that it has not violated the Vienna Convention by seeking diplomatic parity with Canada.

    India said that seeking diplomatic parity is fully consistent with Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention. This article states: “In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and the needs of the particular mission.”

    Meanwhile, both the US and the UK reiterated their call for India to cooperate in Canada’s investigation into the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation last month about the involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Nijjar triggered the ongoing diplomatic row. India rejected the accusation as “absurd” and sought parity in diplomatic presence soon after.

    Meanwhile, Australia’s domestic intelligence chief has said he has no reason to dispute Canada’s claims of a possible link between the Indian government and the killing of Nijjar. Asked by Australia’s ABC News for his assessment of Canada’s allegations, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director general Mike Burgess said (in California) that he would have “no reason to dispute what the Canadian government has said in this matter”. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • India firm on downsizing Canada’s diplomatic strength as ‘private’ engagement continues

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India remains firm in its stand that Canada should downsize its diplomatic strength in India to ensure parity.

    “We remain committed to what we said — that is ensuring parity in diplomatic service. We remain engaged with Canadian authorities,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    This implies that no Canadian diplomat has left India yet. Canada is having consultations with India to work out a way that would enable their diplomats to stay in the country.

    Meanwhile, Canada has said that its diplomatic engagement with India remains ‘private’. “Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private,” Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly had said in Ottawa on Wednesday.

    Canada had also said that the Vienna Convention does not talk about diplomatic parity.

    “As regards upholding international conventions, we would urge Canada to take more seriously their international obligations to provide security to our diplomats and their premises,” said the MEA.

    ALSO READ | Canadian diplomats yet to leave India despite expiry of deadline to downsize mission?

    There was no timeline that India had given on when the Canadian diplomats would leave, so the MEA refrained from making any comments on that.

    Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting.

    “The EAM keeps meeting people at various forums so there is nothing more we can say on who all he met in the recent past,” Bagchi added.

    This confirms reports that the two ministers met in New York.

    Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been raking up the issue of the killing of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in all his conversations with other world leaders including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President of UAE and President of Jordan.

    “I don’t know how this helps (speaking with other leaders) address the core issue. And the core issue is the space that Canada gives to terrorists and criminals,” Bagchi added.

    Meanwhile, no Canadian Parliamentarian is attending the P 20 meeting in Delhi, as per reports. India says that it has extended an invite to all G20 members and they would not know which country has opted out of attending the event. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: India remains firm in its stand that Canada should downsize its diplomatic strength in India to ensure parity.

    “We remain committed to what we said — that is ensuring parity in diplomatic service. We remain engaged with Canadian authorities,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    This implies that no Canadian diplomat has left India yet. Canada is having consultations with India to work out a way that would enable their diplomats to stay in the country.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile, Canada has said that its diplomatic engagement with India remains ‘private’. “Diplomacy is always better when conversations remain private,” Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly had said in Ottawa on Wednesday.

    Canada had also said that the Vienna Convention does not talk about diplomatic parity.

    “As regards upholding international conventions, we would urge Canada to take more seriously their international obligations to provide security to our diplomats and their premises,” said the MEA.

    ALSO READ | Canadian diplomats yet to leave India despite expiry of deadline to downsize mission?

    There was no timeline that India had given on when the Canadian diplomats would leave, so the MEA refrained from making any comments on that.

    Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had met his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting.

    “The EAM keeps meeting people at various forums so there is nothing more we can say on who all he met in the recent past,” Bagchi added.

    This confirms reports that the two ministers met in New York.

    Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been raking up the issue of the killing of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in all his conversations with other world leaders including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President of UAE and President of Jordan.

    “I don’t know how this helps (speaking with other leaders) address the core issue. And the core issue is the space that Canada gives to terrorists and criminals,” Bagchi added.

    Meanwhile, no Canadian Parliamentarian is attending the P 20 meeting in Delhi, as per reports. India says that it has extended an invite to all G20 members and they would not know which country has opted out of attending the event. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Canadian diplomats move from India to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore ahead of October 10 deadline

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With less than four days left for the October 10th deadline to downsize its diplomatic strength in India, Canada is reported to have posted some of the 41 diplomats to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This is as per reports that have appeared on CTV.

    The Canadian High Commission in Delhi, when contacted, refrained from making any comments.

    The diplomatic row between India and Canada began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that the Indian government was involved in the killing of slain Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Following this, he expelled one Indian diplomat.

    India responded by first expelling a Canadian diplomat, following which visa services to Canadians were stopped. Later, India asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength in India.

    “We need to have parity with our diplomatic strength in Canada. Besides, we have observed that Canadian diplomats interfere in our internal matters,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi while announcing that India had asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength.

    ALSO READ | Amid spat with India, Canada cracks whip on eight Sikh youths found in possession of firearms

    India has 21 diplomats in Canada while Canada had 62 in India. Hence, the extra 41 needed to be withdrawn. Otherwise, they will be declared persona non grata. Most of the diplomats who have been posted out were from Chandigarh and Delhi, according to a source.

    “Canada is not taking any chances hence the number of diplomats that are being considered in excess have been posted out. Some to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It is an unprecedented move. And it all began with Canada expelling an Indian diplomat. Till Canada takes a U turn, or offers a clarification clearing the air on India’s involvement in the killing of the slain Khalistani, there is no looking back,” said a source.

    India has been repeatedly telling Canada to rein in those who have been accused of terrorist activities and threatening Indian diplomats in Canada.

    “We had to stop visa services for Canada as our diplomats were threatened so it wasn’t safe for them to travel to the mission for consular services,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, adding that Canada has a toxic mix of criminals, terrorists and traffickers.

    NEW DELHI: With less than four days left for the October 10th deadline to downsize its diplomatic strength in India, Canada is reported to have posted some of the 41 diplomats to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. This is as per reports that have appeared on CTV.

    The Canadian High Commission in Delhi, when contacted, refrained from making any comments.

    The diplomatic row between India and Canada began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in Parliament that the Indian government was involved in the killing of slain Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Following this, he expelled one Indian diplomat.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    India responded by first expelling a Canadian diplomat, following which visa services to Canadians were stopped. Later, India asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength in India.

    “We need to have parity with our diplomatic strength in Canada. Besides, we have observed that Canadian diplomats interfere in our internal matters,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi while announcing that India had asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic strength.

    ALSO READ | Amid spat with India, Canada cracks whip on eight Sikh youths found in possession of firearms

    India has 21 diplomats in Canada while Canada had 62 in India. Hence, the extra 41 needed to be withdrawn. Otherwise, they will be declared persona non grata. Most of the diplomats who have been posted out were from Chandigarh and Delhi, according to a source.

    “Canada is not taking any chances hence the number of diplomats that are being considered in excess have been posted out. Some to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It is an unprecedented move. And it all began with Canada expelling an Indian diplomat. Till Canada takes a U turn, or offers a clarification clearing the air on India’s involvement in the killing of the slain Khalistani, there is no looking back,” said a source.

    India has been repeatedly telling Canada to rein in those who have been accused of terrorist activities and threatening Indian diplomats in Canada.

    “We had to stop visa services for Canada as our diplomats were threatened so it wasn’t safe for them to travel to the mission for consular services,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, adding that Canada has a toxic mix of criminals, terrorists and traffickers.

  • US embassy rejects reports about Ambassador Garcetti alerting team following India-Canada row

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The US embassy on Thursday trashed reports that American Ambassador Eric Garcetti alerted his team about the possible impact of New Delhi’s diplomatic spat with Ottawa on India-US relations.

    American media outlet The Politico reported that Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time.

    “The US embassy dismisses these reports. Ambassador Garcetti is working hard every day to deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India,” a US embassy spokesperson said when asked about the report.

    “As his personal engagement and public schedule demonstrates, Ambassador Garcetti and the US Mission to India are working every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India,” the spokesperson said.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

    ALSO READ | India tells Canada to withdraw more diplomatic staff amid rising tensions over Nijjar’s killing

    India rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

    The Politico, quoting an unnamed official, said “Garcetti has told his in-country team that, because of the diplomatic spat with Canada, relations between India and the US could get worse for a time.”

    Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time, it reported.

    The White House said on Tuesday that Canada’s allegations regarding India’s involvement in the killing of the separatist are “serious” and need to be investigated fully.

    NEW DELHI: The US embassy on Thursday trashed reports that American Ambassador Eric Garcetti alerted his team about the possible impact of New Delhi’s diplomatic spat with Ottawa on India-US relations.

    American media outlet The Politico reported that Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time.

    “The US embassy dismisses these reports. Ambassador Garcetti is working hard every day to deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India,” a US embassy spokesperson said when asked about the report.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “As his personal engagement and public schedule demonstrates, Ambassador Garcetti and the US Mission to India are working every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India,” the spokesperson said.

    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

    ALSO READ | India tells Canada to withdraw more diplomatic staff amid rising tensions over Nijjar’s killing

    India rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

    The Politico, quoting an unnamed official, said “Garcetti has told his in-country team that, because of the diplomatic spat with Canada, relations between India and the US could get worse for a time.”

    Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time, it reported.

    The White House said on Tuesday that Canada’s allegations regarding India’s involvement in the killing of the separatist are “serious” and need to be investigated fully.

  • Threat to diplomats in Canada a major factor in stopping visa services, says Jaishankar

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The threat to India’s diplomats in Canada and the risk involved in their going to consulate offices was one of the reasons to stop visa services for Canadians, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.

    “We were left with no choice but to stop visa services for Canada. There was a campaign targeting our diplomats who felt unsafe travelling to the consulates. Thereby we had to stop. This was a law and order issue. Under the Vienna Convention, our missions and diplomats had to be provided with a safe cover,” said Jaishankar during a presser in Washington.

    Jaishankar, who had mentioned that Canada was discussed during his interaction with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, said that there was a difference of perception in the way the US and India looked at Canada.

    “When Americans look at Canada they see something, we in India see something else. It is important to talk it out. The US is close to Canada and a good friend of ours. They have our point of view, we have taken a reasonable stance,” he added.

    ALSO READ | India ready to look into information related to Canada’s allegations on Nijjar’s killing: Jaishankar

    India is a democracy and doesn’t need to learn from others what freedom of speech is, he said.

    “We don’t think freedom of speech extends to incitement of violence. This is misuse of freedom,” Jaishankar said.

    There is a climate of intimidation, with smoke bombs having been thrown at India’s missions and posters inciting violence put up, which isn’t normal, he noted.

    “The fact is that we have an ongoing problem with Canada which revolves around permissiveness on terrorism and extremism. Our important extradition requests haven’t been considered. Individuals, organisations and illegal activities continue in Canada,” he added.

    NEW DELHI: The threat to India’s diplomats in Canada and the risk involved in their going to consulate offices was one of the reasons to stop visa services for Canadians, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.

    “We were left with no choice but to stop visa services for Canada. There was a campaign targeting our diplomats who felt unsafe travelling to the consulates. Thereby we had to stop. This was a law and order issue. Under the Vienna Convention, our missions and diplomats had to be provided with a safe cover,” said Jaishankar during a presser in Washington.

    Jaishankar, who had mentioned that Canada was discussed during his interaction with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, said that there was a difference of perception in the way the US and India looked at Canada.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “When Americans look at Canada they see something, we in India see something else. It is important to talk it out. The US is close to Canada and a good friend of ours. They have our point of view, we have taken a reasonable stance,” he added.

    ALSO READ | India ready to look into information related to Canada’s allegations on Nijjar’s killing: Jaishankar

    India is a democracy and doesn’t need to learn from others what freedom of speech is, he said.

    “We don’t think freedom of speech extends to incitement of violence. This is misuse of freedom,” Jaishankar said.

    There is a climate of intimidation, with smoke bombs having been thrown at India’s missions and posters inciting violence put up, which isn’t normal, he noted.

    “The fact is that we have an ongoing problem with Canada which revolves around permissiveness on terrorism and extremism. Our important extradition requests haven’t been considered. Individuals, organisations and illegal activities continue in Canada,” he added.

  • EAM Jaishankar to meet US Secretary Blinken amid India-Canada diplomatic row

    By PTI

    WASHINGTON: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here on Thursday, amid the diplomatic rumpus between India and Canada stirred over the killing of a Khalistani separatist.

    Although officials from both sides are tightlipped about the agenda of the meeting, the latest diplomatic crisis between two of America’s friends, its traditional ally Canada and India, is expected to come up prominently during the talks.

    “I don’t want to preview the conversations he (Blinken) will have in that meeting (with Jaishankar), but as we’ve made clear, we’ve raised this; we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this and encouraged them to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, and we continue to encourage them to cooperate,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

    Miller was responding to questions about the meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department here on Thursday afternoon (which is about mid-night local India time). The two leaders are expected to pose for pictures ahead of the meeting and are not expected to take any questions from the media.

    ALSO READ | US ‘deeply concerned’ by Trudeau’s allegations against India: Blinken

    While the meeting between the two top diplomats was scheduled much before the Canadian crisis broke out, the US has been urging India to cooperate in the Canadian investigation into the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia early this year.

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing of Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18.

    India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

    India has rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official.

    India has also asked Canada to crack down on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

    OPINION | The Canadistan conundrum: Whose hand is it anyway?

    Miller said that the issue did not come up for discussion in New York during the Quad ministerial that involved foreign ministers of the US, India, Japan and Australia.

    “It was a meeting of a number of countries and it did not come up in that meeting. But we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this issue and urged them to fully cooperate with the Canadian investigation,” the State Department spokesperson said.

    Jaishankar arrived in the American capital from New York after attending the annual General Assembly meetings of the United Nations on Tuesday.

    In addition to his meeting with Blinken, the external affairs minister is expected to have a series of meetings with senior officials of the Biden administration, review the progress made between the two countries after the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June and talk about other regional and global issues.

    The minister is also expected to engage with the diaspora and think-tank community and interact with leaders from the corporate sector.

    WASHINGTON: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here on Thursday, amid the diplomatic rumpus between India and Canada stirred over the killing of a Khalistani separatist.

    Although officials from both sides are tightlipped about the agenda of the meeting, the latest diplomatic crisis between two of America’s friends, its traditional ally Canada and India, is expected to come up prominently during the talks.

    “I don’t want to preview the conversations he (Blinken) will have in that meeting (with Jaishankar), but as we’ve made clear, we’ve raised this; we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this and encouraged them to cooperate with the Canadian investigation, and we continue to encourage them to cooperate,” State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Miller was responding to questions about the meeting between Jaishankar and Blinken at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department here on Thursday afternoon (which is about mid-night local India time). The two leaders are expected to pose for pictures ahead of the meeting and are not expected to take any questions from the media.

    ALSO READ | US ‘deeply concerned’ by Trudeau’s allegations against India: Blinken

    While the meeting between the two top diplomats was scheduled much before the Canadian crisis broke out, the US has been urging India to cooperate in the Canadian investigation into the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia early this year.

    Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that the Indian government was behind the killing of Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia on June 18.

    India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

    India has rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official.

    India has also asked Canada to crack down on terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its soil and suspended visa services for Canadians.

    OPINION | The Canadistan conundrum: Whose hand is it anyway?

    Miller said that the issue did not come up for discussion in New York during the Quad ministerial that involved foreign ministers of the US, India, Japan and Australia.

    “It was a meeting of a number of countries and it did not come up in that meeting. But we have engaged with our Indian counterparts on this issue and urged them to fully cooperate with the Canadian investigation,” the State Department spokesperson said.

    Jaishankar arrived in the American capital from New York after attending the annual General Assembly meetings of the United Nations on Tuesday.

    In addition to his meeting with Blinken, the external affairs minister is expected to have a series of meetings with senior officials of the Biden administration, review the progress made between the two countries after the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June and talk about other regional and global issues.

    The minister is also expected to engage with the diaspora and think-tank community and interact with leaders from the corporate sector.