In a recent briefing to the parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared an update on the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, stressing that due to the sensitivity of the issue, additional details would be made available at a later stage. The briefing follows a heightened strain in India-Canada relations after Ottawa accused Indian diplomats of gathering information on members of the pro-Khalistan movement, allegedly with assistance from criminal groups. This situation led to India recalling its high commissioner from Ottawa and expelling six Canadian diplomats.
The briefing was conducted in response to opposition parties, led by the Congress, urging the government to be transparent about the escalating situation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh earlier called for the government to address allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In addition to addressing the Canada-India diplomatic row, Misri also updated the committee on the West Asia crisis. Opposition members questioned the lack of a clear public condemnation by India of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raised concerns over India’s repeated abstentions in UN votes on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The MPs also queried whether India had been supplying arms to Israel. Misri responded that India has issued a public condemnation.
Further, the Foreign Secretary provided updates on other international matters, including the recent border disengagement efforts with China to restore conditions similar to those before the 2020 standoff, and on the plight of Indians involved in the Russia-Ukraine war. The government is working closely with Moscow to facilitate the return of 20 Indian nationals who joined the Russian military under contract and now wish to come back.
