M A I N   N E W S

Canada sorry for visa jibes
Ashok Tuteja
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 28
In a damage-control exercise, Canada has deeply regretted the language used by its officials during ‘routine’ visa refusals to some Indian applicants connected with security agencies. The words used had cast false aspersions on the legitimacy of work carried out by these security institutions, it added.

“This language, or the inaccurate impression it has created, in no way reflects the policy or position of the Government of Canada. While, under the Canadian law, admissibility to Canada is determined by a number of different criteria, candidate assessments should in no way question Indian institutions which operate under the rule of law and within a democratic framework,” Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said in a statement that was e-mailed to the Indian authorities by the Canadian High Commission here. The statement is not convincing in totality, as it does not say a word on whether the applications of those denied visas would be reconsidered. It, however, is significant in the backdrop of an outrage in India over adverse comments made by Canadian mission officials against Indian armed forces and intelligence establishment while rejecting visa applications of some senior serving and retired officials.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna had termed Canada’s action as entirely unacceptable, adding Ottawa has been asked to address the issue in a week’s time. Krishna said the Canadian High Commissioner was called twice by his ministry to register protest over the issue.

For the past two days, Canadian High Commission officials remained incommunicado but the statement by their Citizenship and Immigration Minister is likely to put a lid on the controversy. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Canada towards the end of June for the G-20 Summit.

The Canadian minister clarified that his country had the highest regard for India, its government institutions and processes. “Furthermore, at a time when global security continues to be a cause for concern, Canada values the increasing ties and cooperation with India in the fields of defence, security and counter-terrorism. Each year, Canada welcomes about 1,31,000 Indian residents on both temporary and permanent basis, including many individuals from the various security agencies,’’ he added.