Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India was marred by another controversy just a day before his meeting with PM Narendra Modi after it came to light that a convicted former Khalistani terrorist was invited for an official dinner hosted by him.
An invite accorded to Khalistani separatist Jaspal Atwal was later rescinded by Trudeau’s team, but it was too late as damage had already been done. India raised strong objections to the issue, making Trudeau apologize for the turn of events in response.
The Canadian PM said, “We take this very seriously. The individual in question should have never received an invitation. The person and department responsible for this will take full responsibility.”
Atwal is a former member of banned terrorist organization International Sikh Youth Federation. He was convicted by a Canadian court and sentenced for twenty years in 1986 for attempting to kill a former Punjab minister named Malkiat Singh Sindhu during his visit there.
He was invited for events in Delhi and Mumbai involving Trudeau’s delegation, including an official dinner with the Prime Minister. Some Canadian newspapers even showed him taking a picture with Trudeau’s wife Sophie Gregoire at an event.
Although Canada immediately cancelled Atwal’s invite following India’s objections, the Ministry of External Affairs said it will carry out its own investigation to determine how he was issued a visa in the first place.