The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed Canadian reports that said pro-Khalistan activist Jaspal Atwal visited India with the help of ‘rogue’ Indian officials.
When asked about exchanges in the Canadian Parliament featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, MEA’s official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that India had “nothing to do” with the visit of Atwal that created a furore during last week’s visit by Mr. Trudeau.
“Let me categorically state that the Government of India, including the security agencies, had nothing to do with the presence of Jaspal Atwal at the event hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in Mumbai or the invitation issued to him for the Canadian High Commissioner’s reception in New Delhi. Any suggestion to the contrary is baseless and unacceptable,” he said.
Trudeau's promise
Mr. Trudeau had promised to investigate the appearance of Atwal in official functions that were being organised by Canadian High Commissioner Nadir Patel in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Atwal was booked for an attempted murder in the 1980s and is known for his views on khalistani separatism.
His presence had marred Mr. Trudeau's week-long visit to India.
