MEA responds to Khalistan militant row, says 'don't know how the visa was issued'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that it is enquiring how Jaspal Atwal, the man convicted of trying to assassinate Indian minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu, ISYF militant got a visa.

"There are two aspects to it Presence and Visa. The Canadian side has already clarified that the invitation has been withdrawn. About the visa I don't know how it happened. We will ascertain information from our commission," said Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson.

"Let us not presume things and decide how he managed to come. This is something which we are trying to find out. In due course, we will be able to come up with a reason that how he managed to come in India," he added.

Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel has cancelled an invitation that had gone out to a convicted Khalistani terrorist for an official dinner being hosted for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The High Commission has rescinded Atwal's invitation. We do not comment of matters relating to the PM's security," the Canadian High Commission said, PTI reported.

"His Excellency Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India, is pleased to invite Jaspal Atwal to a dinner-reception celebrating Canada-India ties on the occasion of the visit of The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada," the invitation read.

Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted for trying to kill the then Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver in 1986, had been invited to the dinner for Trudeau and his delegation.

Trudeau assured Singh that his country does not support separatism in India or elsewhere.

OneIndia News