India To Escalate Diplomatic Offensive Even More, May Take Canada To FATF For Inaction Over Curbing Terror Funding

India is escalating its stance against Canada, considering the possibility of approaching the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to Canada's inaction regarding terror funding operations on its soil, reported Sunday Guardian.

This comes after a report by CNN-News18 came out alleging that Canadian diplomats were interfering in India's internal affairs by granting visas to criminals who supported formation of Khalistan in India.

It suggested that Canadian diplomats have executed this strategy intentionally, with a clear purpose — to grant visas and facilitate the departure of specific individuals from India, including those involved in criminal cases.

According to the Sunday Guardian report, India plans to present a 'dossier of old and new evidence' to the FATF, the international body that oversees anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing efforts.

The report said that Canada's compliance with India's demand to reduce its diplomatic presence by 41 personnel is insufficient, as India's primary concern is the financing and sheltering of Khalistani extremists on Canadian territory.

“Canada acquiescing to India’s demand to reduce its diplomatic strength by 41 is not enough as India’s key concern is about funding and shielding of Khalistanis on Canadian soil,” it stated, quoting an official.

It added, diplomats, security officials, and investigators have been instructed to gather pertinent evidence for submission to the FATF.

The central issue in India's relations with Canada revolves around the sanctuary that terrorists and criminals have found within the country, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi has earlier said.

“With Canada seeking to divert the focus from the core issue of Khalistani elements having a free run on its soil, India has no other option but to report Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s inaction against pro-Khalistan elements in his country to FATF. India is, therefore, planning to collect evidence of terror funding and financing emanating from Canada and present it to FATF,” the Sunday Guardian report quoted another official as saying.

Indian officials argue that the Trudeau government is trying to divert global attention from the core issue of terror activities by accusing India of escalation and breaching the Vienna Convention concerning Canadian diplomatic presence.

India quickly refuted Canada's allegations and reaffirmed its position firmly, while simultaneously ensuring that the issue of terror funding on Canadian soil remains a focal point.

India has already criticised Canada for providing a safe haven to terrorists, particularly amid the souring of diplomatic relations following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The MEA spokesperson emphasised that the broader concern is terrorism, terror financing, and the provision of safe havens for terrorists overseas.

The Indian government aims to refocus the discussion on this primary issue and has instructed officials to raise it at every suitable forum, including the FATF.

Past evidence shared with Canada is expected to be relevant in this context.

Former Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Y C Modi, revealed that the agency shared multiple pieces of information about Khalistani militants in Canada with the Ottawa government, but no action was taken by the Trudeau administration.

Indian officials note that the Canadian government has not assisted India in the deportation or extradition of any terrorist or militant from Canada. This aspect also needs to be conveyed to the FATF.