India has called Canada a "safe haven for terrorists" following its suspension of visas for Canadian citizens, as the fallout grows over Ottawa's accusation that New Delhi is potentially behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on its soil.
In a strongly worded statement to reporters, India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Canada needed to "worry about its international reputation" in the wake of its explosive allegations.
He added: "If you're talking about reputational issues and reputational damage, if there's any country that needs to look at this, I think it's Canada and its growing reputation as a place, as a safe haven for terrorists, for extremists, and for organised crime".
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Bagchi's comments followed India's move to suspend visa applications for Canadian citizens over what it says are "security threats" against diplomats in the country.
"The issue is of incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates, that's what's making us stop temporarily the issuance of visas or providing visa services," Bagchi added.
Relations between the two countries plummeted this week after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said India was potentially behind the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist activist, who was gunned down by two masked men in Surrey, British Columbia.
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India has vehemently denied the claims, calling them "absurd and motivated."
Bagchi said Canada has provided "no specific information" to support the allegations.
India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to television channels on Thursday, asking them to refrain from "giving any platform to persons who are facing serious charges, such as terrorism or belonging to organisations proscribed by law".
