New Delhi:
Indian students in Canada “must be aware of their surroundings” and resist radicalization attempts by Khalistani terrorists and extremists, Sanjay Kumar Verma, the recalled High Commissioner of India, told NDTV on Thursday evening. Mr Verma urged parents of students in Canada to “talk to them regularly and try to understand their situation,” and guide them away from unwise choices.
“Currently in Canada there is a threat from Khalistani terrorists and extremists to the larger Indian community… including students (of whom there were approximately 319,000 in 2023),” he said.
“How this (Khalistani terrorists' outreach to Indian students in Canada) works is… given the state of that economy, there are few jobs… so students are offered money and food, and this is how Khalistani terrorists and extremists influence them with evil plans,” Mr Verma explained to NDTV.
Some students, he said, are also being persuaded to take photos or videos of themselves 'protesting' – shouting anti-India slogans or insulting the flag – outside Indian diplomatic buildings in Canada.
“Then they will be told to go and seek asylum… because their version will be, 'If I go back to India now, I will be punished…' and there have been cases where such students have been granted asylum,” he said. .
Therefore, there are several types of negative influences that are acting on Indian students in Canada and pushing them in the wrong direction, Mr Verma told NDTV while appealing to parents.
Mr Verma's comments come at a time when the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada is entering a downward spiral due to repeated and unsubstantiated claims by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – that Delhi 'operatives' are conspiring with criminal gangs, including the Lawrence Bishnoi group , to 'target (the) South Asians'. in that country.
READ | 'Bishnoi gang linked to Indian government agents': Canadian police claim
The row erupted in September last year after Mr Trudeau alleged “credible allegations” that the Indian government was involved in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
Nijjar, designated a terrorist by the Indian government, was shot dead in Vancouver in June 2023.
India has pointedly dismissed links to his death, dismissing it as “absurd” and “malicious” and repeatedly pointing out that neither Mr. Trudeau nor his government have shared hard evidence.
READ | “Ridiculous accusations”: Trudeau's escalation, India's strong rebuttal
Last week, India pointed to Mr Trudeau's admission – before a commission of inquiry in Ottawa – that he had no “hard evidence” when he linked the Indian government to Nijjar's murder.
READ | “As we said, no evidence whatsoever”: India on Trudeau's statement
Mr Verma underlined that point to NDTV today, saying that “not a shred of evidence” had been shared with him since his appointment as High Commissioner to Canada in September 2022. In fact, Mr Verma said it was India that had evidence on extremist groups shared. in Canada, but “no action was taken…”
READ | “We told Canada about Bishnoi-Brar ties”: NDTV envoy recalled
The crisis that began last year exploded further this month after Canadian Federal Police linked the Bishnoi gang and identified Mr Verma – India's most senior diplomat – as a 'person of interest' in cases of 'murder, extortion , intimidation and coercion'. . Canada stated it would deport Mr. Verma.
READ | Nijjar Killing, Bishnoi Gang, Trade Talks: How India-Canada Ties Worsened
New Delhi, furious at Canada's treatment of Mr. Verma, recalled him and five of his staffers and retaliated by expelling Canada's acting High Commissioner, Stewart Wheeler, and his staffers.
Mr Verma was also made 'persona non grata' – a diplomatic term meaning a 'person who is no longer welcome'. He becomes the first Indian diplomat to ever be treated as such.
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