The controversy over the dinner invitation extended by the Canadian High Commission to ‘Khalistan’ terrorist Jaspal Atwal during the just-concluded…
Sophie Trudeau’s picture with Jaspal Atwal at a function in Mumbai on 20 February. (Photo: Twitter)
The controversy over the dinner invitation extended by the Canadian High Commission to ‘Khalistan’ terrorist Jaspal Atwal during the just-concluded visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to India refuses to die down.
New Delhi on Tuesday hit back at allegations that ‘rogue’ elements within India were responsible for the controversy that marred Trudeau’s week-long visit.
The allegations that India or its security agencies had anything to do with the presence of Atwal at an event in Mumbai or the dinner invitation were “baseless and unacceptable,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries.
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The theory, which Trudeau seemed to back yesterday, was floated by a Canadian government official who reportedly said that ‘rogue political elements’ were responsible for the invitation extended to Atwal which was subsequently withdrawn.
During Trudeau’s visit to India, Atwal was also photographed with members of the Canadian PM’s entourage, including his wife Sophie, at a Mumbai event.
New Delhi’s reaction came within hours of Trudeau, while speaking in the Canadian Parliament, seemed to back the official who floated the rogue Indian elements theory.
On 22 February, The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBS) had reported that a “senior government official” with knowledge of Trudeau’s “security protocols” had suggested that “rogue political elements’’ in India might have been behind invitation to Atwal in an attempt to make the Canadian government appear sympathetic to ‘Khalistan’ supporters.
“When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it’s because they know it to be true,” Trudeau was quoted as saying.
Trudeau’s remark came in response to the Canadian Opposition attacking him over the issue. The Opposition identified the official as Trudeau’s National Security Adviser Daniel Jean.
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