The central government on Friday briefed the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs about the ongoing dispute with Canada. Congress and other opposition parties were demanding that the government take the opposition leaders into confidence over the diplomatic tensions with Canada in both Houses. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared insights with the Standing Committee about the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada during the meeting.
According to sources, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also informed the parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs that since the issue is very sensitive, more information will be shared at a later stage. Canada had accused Indian diplomats of collecting information and using criminal gangs to target and eliminate Khalistani individuals, which brought diplomatic relations between India and Canada to an unprecedented low point.
Following these unwarranted accusations from Canada, India took the decisive step of recalling its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma from Ottawa and expelling six Canadian diplomats from the country. Last week, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that given the diplomatic standoff and allegations by Justin Trudeau, the government should brief opposition parties. Apart from the Canada discord, the Foreign Secretary also updated the parliamentary panel on the West Asia crisis.
According to sources, opposition MPs questioned the government's lack of public condemnation regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and why India abstained 20 times from voting in the UN on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The MPs also queried if India supplies weapons to Israel. Sources mentioned that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri responded that India has publicly condemned it. The opposition MPs were also briefed about the recent border agreement between India and China. The Foreign Secretary explained that the government is striving to restore the situation with China on the LAC to its pre-April 2020 state.
Discussions also covered the issue of Indians killed in the Russia-Ukraine war. Opposition MPs inquired about the government's actions against gangs recruiting 20 Indians into the Russian army. In August, the Russian Embassy stated that Moscow and New Delhi are coordinating efforts to quickly identify and repatriate those Indian citizens who voluntarily joined as contract soldiers in the Russian army and now wish to return home. According to official figures, nine Indians have died while working for the Russian army in the Ukraine conflict.
