'Canada has the greatest respect for Indian Armed forces'

A statement made by Canadian High Commission in New Delhi against the Border Security Force has been contradicted by an official spokeswoman of  Canada's Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In a telephonic interview today, Catherine Loubier, told rediff.com that "Canada has the greatest respect for Indian Armed forces and related institutions".

The Canadian High Commission  rejected visa application of one Fateh Singh Pandher, a retired constable with the Border Security Force. Reports say his visa application was rejected as the High Commission, Pandher reportedly says, 'described the BSF as a violent paramilitary unit  and is engaged in systematic attacks on civilians and responsible for torturing suspected criminals. According to Fateh's claim, the Canadian High Commission further 'holds the BSF responsible for committing crime against humanity'.

When asked whether the Canadian government agrees with this claim of the High Commission, Loubier said, "On the contrary I am telling you Canada has the highest regard for the Indian armed forces and related institutions."

So, you are contradicting the claim made by Canadian officials in New Delhi? "That would be correct," she conceded. "I am telling you something quite different (than what the High Commission said) and I am telling you we are reviewing the situation very closely."

But in regard to Pandher's visa application, Loubier said "Decisions on visa applications are made by public servants following process under the Immigration and Protection Act.

"I want to stress we are reviewing the situation.  I can't unfortunately give details because of privacy reasons…"

And then she emphasized that "India is a country with growing influence on the global stage, and Canada and India … have close ties that bind us…"

She then referred to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's official visit to India November last year  and alluded to the fact that there are over one million persons of Indian origin in Canada.  "They make a significant contributions to the strength of Canada's economy."

Loubier repeatedly said they are "reviewing the situation" but she, for various reasons, wouldn't amplify but she had no qualm in clearly admitting that on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs she was contradicting  the  remarks made by the High Commission against BSF.