According to a report in the Sunday Guardian, India is considering a significant step by approaching the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address what it perceives as Canada's inaction against terrorism financing operations taking place on its soil. India claims to have provided credible and substantial evidence to Canadian authorities on multiple occasions, yet Ottawa's response has been unsatisfactory. This potential move underscores India's mounting concerns regarding the environment that terrorists and criminal elements appear to have found within Canada.

India's relationship with Canada centers on the existence of terrorist networks and their operational activities within Canadian territory. Announcing India's concern, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Annidam Bagchi, emphasized the critical nature of this issue. He stressed that terrorism is funded and supported by India's western neighbor, Pakistan, but the problem extends to the provision of safe havens and operational bases abroad, including in Canada. This assertion highlights the pressing need and priority to address terrorism financing operations on Canadian soil.

Indian diplomatic officials argue that the Trudeau government is making efforts to shift global attention away from ongoing separatist activities by accusing India of escalation and violating the Vienna Convention regarding Canadian diplomatic presence. However, India promptly dismissed these allegations and firmly conveyed its stance. Simultaneously, the Indian government is resolute in keeping the primary concern of terrorism financing on Canadian soil as the central topic of discussion.

India is actively considering the option of presenting a comprehensive dossier that contains both old and recent evidence to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This Paris-based organization is responsible for supervising the enforcement of legal, regulatory, and operational measures on a global scale to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. By engaging with FATF, India seeks to draw international attention to the matter of terrorism funding operations taking place within Canada and the pressing demand for decisive action.

India has adopted a firm position regarding what it alleges is Canada offering refuge to terrorists. Diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa have come under significant strain, notably in the aftermath of the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nara. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Terrorism is being funded and supported by our western neighbor, Pakistan."

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has disclosed information concerning 43 individuals linked to a terrorist network with connections to Canada. This revelation has heightened tensions between the two nations. India is now urging Canada to either prosecute those facing terrorism charges on its own soil or extradite them to India for legal proceedings. The pressure on Canada to address this issue is anticipated to grow, and India is likely to seek assistance from the FATF in ensuring robust measures against terrorism financing activities within Canada.

Image source: ANI