During a media briefing in Delhi on Thursday (16), India urged Canada to facilitate a conducive environment in accordance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, to enable its officials to perform their duties without impediments or security issues.
India's fresh call to Ottawa came days after certain pro-Khalistani elements in Vancouver attempted to disturb a camp organised by the Indian consulate in that city.
The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India strongly rejected the allegations.
"Our High Commission and consulates in Canada regularly organise consular camps. One such camp was organised near Vancouver on November 12 to provide life certificates to pensioners," external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during his weekly media briefing.
"The event was held successfully despite attempts by a few radical elements to cause trouble. Our Consul General was not present at that camp," he said.
"We reiterate the need for nations to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations so that our diplomats can discharge their diplomatic obligations," he added.
Asked about reports of an incident near Brampton during Diwali, Bagchi it was sort of an "unrest' between two groups.
As regards to events that you alluded to near Brampton in Diwali. I think that was more in the nature of unrest between the two groups, he said.
"I don't think there has been any complaint that our consulate has received... I saw some social media reports. We also understand that the authorities there are looking into that incident," he said.
Days after Trudeau's allegations, India temporarily suspended issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.
Canada has already withdrawn 41 diplomats and their family members from India and India has resumed some of the visa services.
(PTI)
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)