The Canadian high commission’s move to deny visas has prompted New Delhi to think of retaliatory action. The home ministry on Thursday warned that India would consider retaliatory measures if Canada does not respond to its request of taking conciliatory steps in this regard.
Government sources said India has given Canada a week to respond suitably on the matter and take remedial measures.
Attempts to reach Canadian government officials after New Delhi’s “ultimatum” failed.
Speaking to this newspaper, Union home secretary G.K. Pillai said on Thursday, “We are awaiting the response of the Canadian government. If they do not respond we will take action.”
Mr Pillai said the home ministry has already lodged a protest with the ministry of external affairs, which has, in turn, taken up the matter with the Canadians. Mr Pillai, however, refused to elaborate on the retaliatory action. “We will see,” he said.
Sources disclosed India could retaliate by refusing entry to Canadian officials from the airport citing “security reasons”.
The India-Canada visa row worsened after Lt. Gen. A.S. Bahia (Retd), a decorated Indian Army officer currently a member of the Armed Forces Tribunal, was denied a visa in May this year on grounds that he had served in a “sensitive location” in J&K. Earlier they had denied a visa to former BSF personnel. Three serving Army brigadiers were also denied visas in the past for having worked in an organisation “engaged in violence”.