'People with organised crime links from Punjab have been welcomed in Canada': S Jaishankar

• Jaishankar raises concerns over Canada's leniency towards individuals associated with Punjab's organised crime
• Arrest of three Indian nationals in connection with Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder sparks diplomatic tensions between India and Canada
• India criticizes Canada's issuance of visas to individuals with links to organised crime despite prior warnings

Indian Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, has voiced concerns over Canada's welcoming stance towards individuals linked to organised crime from Punjab. The remarks come in response to the recent arrest of three Indian nationals in connection with the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.

Canadian authorities apprehended the suspects on Friday and are probing potential ties between the accused and the Indian government. Jaishankar stated the necessity for clarity from Canadian law enforcement regarding the arrests, highlighting India's longstanding worries about Punjab-based organised crime infiltrating Canada.

Jaishankar underscored, "the suspects apparently are Indians of some kind of gang background... we'll have to wait for the police to tell us." He reiterated India's stance that Canada has allowed organised crime, particularly from Punjab, to flourish within its borders.

Meanwhile, India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, refrained from commenting extensively on the matter, stating that it is an internal issue for Canada. Verma expressed hope for regular updates from Canadian authorities.

The trio, identified as Indian nationals, was apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday, following the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, Vancouver's suburb.