NEW DELHI: While flagging security issues faced by Indian diplomats in Canada, India’s new High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik has rejected as politically motivated allegations made by both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and former prime minister Justin Trudeau that linked Indian diplomats to homicide and extortion.In an interview to CTV News, Patnaik said he found it strange that he was under protection in Canada. “I’m under protection. I should not be under protection in a country like this,” said Patnaik.His remarks came amidst efforts by both sides to rebuild the relationship after the diplomatic strife over Khalistan-related issues. India has indicated that it is willing to move on and recently hosted Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand in a sign that it does not want the relationship to remain hostage to the Khalistan issue. Anand and her counterpart S Jaishankar announced a series of initiatives during the visit to restore the relationship. However, concerns remain about the anti-India activities of Khalistan separatists in Canada.In another interview, to The Canadian Press, Patnaik had said the aggressive tone of the Khalistan movement was scaring away investment. “While we are trying to move trade forward, a whole lot of businesspeople (in India) feel uncomfortable because they see this as a place where violence, extortion, intimidation is rising,” he said last Thursday. “Nobody wants that kind of impression,” he added.
