By IANS,
New Delhi : India Tuesday said it has taken up with the Canadian high commission the denial of visa to a retired Border Security Force (BSF) trooper and expressed serious concern over the issue.
“The matter was taken up immediately with the Canadian high commission,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here.
“We take this matter very seriously. We have expressed concern and we continue to take this seriously,” Rao said.
Last week, the Canadian high commission here refused a visa to Fateh Singh Pandher, a retired BSF constable, on grounds that he was associated with a “notoriously violent force”.
The denial of visa and the reason given for it sparked public outrage in India, prompting the Canadian authorities to go on a damage control exercise.
“I would like to stress Canada has the highest regard for India’s democratic institutions and processes. Canada has great respect for India’s armed forces and related institutions,” Canadian foreign ministry spokesperson Catherine Loubier said in an e-mail statement.
“I would like to stress Canada has the highest regard for India’s democratic institutions and processes. Canada has great respect for India’s armed forces and related institutions.”
Pandher, a resident of Ludhiana whose daughter lives in Canada, had approached the Prime Minister’s Office in March seeking its intervention.