Canada non-cooperative on India's requests: S Jaishankar
External affairs minister S Jaishankar defended the government's decision to suspend issuance of visas to Canadian citizens, telling members of Parliament from across the political spectrum that the «temporary arrangement» was unavoidable for the safety of Indian diplomats, said people privy to the information. He also said Canada has generally not been cooperative and has denied several requests for extradition of suspects wanted in India, they said.
Jaishankar chaired a parliamentary consultative committee meeting on Saturday to discuss the G20 summit hosted by India and the country's presidency of the grouping of 19 nations, the European Union and the African Union.
During the meeting, which was attended by MPs from six parties, majority of them from the opposition, several MPs, including Rajya Sabha member from Punjab Vikramjit Singh Sahney of the Aam Aadmi Party, raised the issues of suspension of visas to Canadian citizens and safety of Indian students in Canada.
Sahney is also the president of the World Punjabi Organisation.
Jaishankar said while other countries have responded to India's concerns over the Khalistan secessionist movement, Canada has not understood the gravity of the situation, the people cited earlier said on condition of anonymity. He also suggested that atmosphere towards Indian diplomats in Canada is hostile, they said.
Recently, posters calling for assassination of Indian diplomats were put out in Canada.
The minister further said if the safety of Indian diplomats is assured and there is cordial atmosphere for them to function, India can reconsider resuming visa services, the people said.
Jaishankar's meeting with MPs from different political parties came a day after Canada moved many of
