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Justin Trudeau to act post invite scandal

Justin Trudeau promised action on Thursday and said that Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal should never have been invited to an official dinner to be hosted in his honour in Delhi.

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Justin Trudeau and Raveesh Kumar
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised action on Thursday and said that Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal should never have been invited to an official dinner to be hosted in his honour in Delhi. While a Candian MP took responsibility for the embarrassment, India said that it is probing how the Indo-Canadian businessman got a visa.

"Obviously, we take this extremely seriously. As soon as we received the information we rescinded the invitation. A Member of Parliament had included this individual (Atwal)," said Trudeau.

"The person and department responsible will take full responsibility for his actions," the Canadian PM said, amid mounting criticism in the middle of his India trip.

Atwal was also photographed with Trudeau's wife in Mumbai on Tuesday, prompting the Canadian PM to assure that his country does not support separatist movements. Canadian MP Randeep S Sarai has taken responsibility for inviting Atwal to the dinner.

"I alone facilitated his (Atwal's) request to attend this important event. I should have exercised better judgment, and I take full responsibility for my actions," Sarai said.

The invitation to Thursday night's reception to be hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner for Trudeau in Delhi has been withdrawn. The development comes ahead of a joint statement from the two countries expected following Trudeau's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

"About the visa, we will find out from our commission. Let us not presume things and decide how he managed to come. This is something which we are trying to find out," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Atwal and three others were convicted of the attempted murder for the 1986 attack on Punjab Minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu on Vancouver Island.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and said the Canadian government has an unambiguous policy of support for a strong and united India.

"His Excellency Nadir Patel, High Commissioner for Canada to India, is pleased to invite Jaspal Atwal to a dinner-reception celebrating Canada-India ties on the occasion of the visit of The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada," the invitation read.

Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa have been frosty as Canada is being seen to be offering a platform to separatists demanding an independent Khalistan.

"It was foolish on our part to not do a background check. And how could Canadians, who claim that they do not support the Khalistani, allow the same?" BJP's Subramanian Swamy said.

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