Fact Check: Did Jaishankar & Canadian FM Hold Secret Meeting To Resolve Crisis?

New Delhi: The diplomatic row and the consequent tensions between India and Canada have been continuing for weeks.

The Khalistani issue, specifically Canadian PM Justing Trudeau’s statement alleging the possibility of Indian link in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar on Canadian soil, triggered the crisis.

India steadfastly dismissed the allegations, saying time and again that no concrete evidence has been provided by Canada to substantiate its claim.

Though neither government has officially climbed down from its respective stand, there are reports that efforts are being made to resolve the crisis.

According to a report in British daily Financial Times, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly held a secret meeting with India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar in Washington a few days ago.

The media report, citing people familiar with the situation, mentioned that Canadian government was trying to ease the severely strained diplomatic situation with New Delhi, following reports that Canadian diplomats had been given a deadline to leave India or risk losing their diplomatic immunity.

Neither Canada nor India has yet confirmed the ‘secret’ meeting.

Joly did say earlier this month that the two countries are trying to resolve the issue privately.

“We are in contact with the government of India. We take Canadian diplomats’ safety very seriously, and we will continue to engage privately because we think diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private,” Canada’s Foreign Minister had said after India issued a direction to reduce diplomatic staff in India.

PM Trudeau had also stated Canada doesn’t want to “escalate the situation” with India and assured that his country will continue to “engage responsibly and constructively with New Delhi.”