- By Anushka Vats
- Tue, 26 Sep 2023 07:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid the ongoing controversy between India and Canada over the latter accusing the former of having connections with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda has said that India's response to Canada's allegations has been 'firm and direct' and Colombo supports New Delhi on the matter. He said that Sri Lanka has suffered due to terrorism and that his country has zero tolerance for terrorism.
While addressing a press conference, he spoke about Canada's allegations and said, "I think India's response has been inequitable and also firm and direct. And I think as far as we are concerned, we support India on that. Having said that, also, in my lifetime now, I'm 60 years old, 40 years of my life, we have spent facing various forms of terrorism in Sri Lanka. I have lost many friends, and colleagues to terrorism."
"We have all mean many Sri Lankans have died to terrorism. So, therefore, our position on these matters, I think is very clear because we have endured and we have suffered. And as a country that has gone through that tolerance for terrorism is zero tolerance," he added.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the situation, Canada on Sunday updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India asking them to "stay vigilant and exercise caution" in the context of recent developments as there are calls for protests and some "negative sentiment" towards Canada on social media.
"In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution," the Canadian government said in an update on Sunday.
Earlier this week, New Delhi issued a similar advisory for Indian nationals and students living in Canada and halted visa services.
Both countries have recently expelled a senior diplomat each after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar Nijjar in Surrey in June. India has rejected the charge as "absurd" and "motivated".
(With inputs from agency)