Canadian government apologizes to India over visa refusals

The Canadian government has issued an apology to India after Canadian visa officers refused several members of the country’s security agencies from coming to Canada.

New Delhi had scolded Canada’s high commissioner and demanded action be taken.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney issued a statement Friday saying Canada works closely on security matters with India.

“The Government of Canada therefore deeply regrets the recent incident in which letters drafted by public service officials during routine visa refusals to Indian nationals cast false aspersions on the legitimacy of work carried out by Indian defence and security institutions, which operate under the framework of democratic processes and the rule of law,” Mr. Kenney said.

“This language, or the inaccurate impression it has created, in no way reflects the policy or position of the Government of Canada.”

Mr. Kenney blamed the visa officer in New Delhi and stated "non-political civil servants review visa requests, but the incident showed they have too much latitude."