India has described the recent murder of three Indian students in Canada as “terrible tragedies” and affirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of its nationals abroad.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that its High Commission in Ottawa has raised concerns with Canadian authorities and is extending support to the victims’ families.
“We are deeply saddened by these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada. We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families,” MEA spokesperson and Joint Secretary Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly briefing on Friday.
India’s High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are providing all possible assistance and are in contact with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the murders, he added.
Jaiswal emphasized that the safety, security, and welfare of Indian nationals in Canada remain a top priority. “The High Commission and Consulates regularly raise issues faced by Indian nationals, especially students, with Canadian authorities. In light of the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence, we have issued an advisory urging our nationals to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant,” he said.
Separately, the MEA dismissed Canadian media reports alleging that New Delhi has been denying visas to pro-Khalistani individuals unless they renounce separatist views.
“This is another example of the Canadian media’s disinformation campaign to malign India,” Jaiswal said, stressing that that granting visas is India’s sovereign prerogative.
“We have the legitimate right to deny visas to individuals who undermine our territorial integrity. Commentary from the Canadian media on this matter constitutes foreign interference in India’s sovereign affairs,” he added.
Relations between India and Canada have reached a historic low following allegations by the Canadian government that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim strongly denied by New Delhi.
