Canada’s 'unfriendly' stance, which allows its territory to be used for secessionist activities, is the core issue in India-Canada relations, according to a report citing Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma.
Despite this, India’s response to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada has been "collaborative."
Verma pointed out that Canada's tolerance of secessionist activities on its soil is a major concern between the two nations.
“…if you look at our own approach towards resolving this issue, it has always been collaborative. What we have been saying right from the beginning is that unless you share something specific and relevant with us, what do we look into? How do we help you?” Verma told an Indian media house in an interview.
The Indian diplomat emphasized that the Canadian authorities are well aware of India's concerns about Canada harboring terrorists and extremists.
“No country in the world, which is a responsible member of the United Nations, should allow its soil to be used by its own citizens to dismember a friendly country. Secessionist calls coming out of Canada, in the context of India, is certainly something which is unfriendly. So, unless that core issue is tackled, I don’t think we’ll be satisfied diplomatically or politically,” Verma said.
Regarding the resolution of the Nijjar case in Canada, the Indian envoy remarked that a crime was committed and the legal process should follow its course. The relationship between India and Canada was recently highlighted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement about 'credible allegations' linking Indian agents to Nijjar's killing.