Canadian PM Justin Trudeau backs official who blamed 'rogue' Indian elements for Jaspal Atwal controversy

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to have backed one of his bureaucrats who alleged that factions within the Indian government were responsible for the Jaspal Atwal controversy that made headlines during the Canadian premier's visit here last week.

Atwal is a convicted Khalistani terrorist who once attempted to murder a Punjab state minister. During Trudeau's visit to India, Atwal was photographed with members of the Canadian PM's entourage including wife Sophie.

It also emerged that Atwal had been extended an invite to a dinner that was to be thrown in honour of Trudeau at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi. The invite, whose existence embarrassed Trudeau and his delegation, was later rescinded.

Soon after the controversy, Canadian media, citing unnamed sources, reported that the officials in Ottawa believed that 'rogue political elements' within India may have engineered the Atwal fiasco.

On February 22, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported that a "senior government official" with knowledge of Trudeau's "security protocols" had suggested that "rogue political elements in India may have orchestrated the embarrassing invitation" to Atwal in an attempt to "make the Canadian government appear sympathetic to Sikh extremism."

Now, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has seemingly backed the official's comments. Speaking on the official's comments in the Canadian Parliament yesterday, Trudeau said, "When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it's because they know it to be true."

Jaspal Atwal was found guilty of attempted murder in 1986 after shooting a Punjab state minister who was visiting Vancouver Island. Atwal lives in Canada, but travelled to India and attended a government function last night.

Here he is with Sophie Trudeau. pic.twitter.com/4vyJcTlJr1

Candice Malcolm (@CandiceMalcolm) February 22, 2018

Trudeau's remark came in response to the Canadian Opposition cornering the prime minister on the issue. The Opposition identified the official as Trudeau's national security adviser, Daniel Jean.

"A senior security official made these allegations. Does the prime minister agree or disavow those allegations?" Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer asked Trudeau in Parliament, CBC reported.

To this, Trudeau responded, "Our professional, non-partisan public service does high quality work and when one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians, it's because they know it to be true."

The entire exchange was also captured on video, which the CBC posted on its website:

Trudeau's visit to India was mired in controversy, especially because of the Indian government was perceived to have 'snubbed' his week-long stay. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not break protocol to receive the Trudeau family at the airport when they landed in India.

The Trudeau family with PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan (India Today/Vikram Sharma)

In fact, it was only after five full days that PM Modi officially acknowledged Trudeau's presence in India with a tweet that was sent on the eve of the ceremonial welcome that Trudeau was accorded on the penultimate day of his week-long visit.

READ | Who is Jaspal Atwal?

The Jaspal Atwal controversy broke just days before Trudeau's February 23 Rashtrapati Bhavan reception. Canadian media published photographs of the Khalistani terrorist standing next to Trudeau's wife Sophie at an event in Mumbai.

It also emerged that Atwal had been extended an invite for a dinner that was to be held in honour of Trudeau in New Delhi. The invite was later rescinded with Trudeau saying that Atwal "should never have received an invitation".

READ | Wary of Khalistan support, has India snubbed Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on first state visit?

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