India may take Canada to FATF for inaction on terror funding

Hardening its stance against Canada, India is exploring options to approach the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) over Ottawa's inaction against terror funding operations on its soil despite New Delhi having shared "credible and clinching" evidence with it umpteen times.

- T. BRAJESH

India is planning to share a "dossier of the old and new evidence" with the Paris-based watchdog, which oversees the implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures to combat money laundering and terror financing, The Sunday Guardian has learnt from diplomatic sources here.

"Canada acquiescing to India's demand to reduce its diplomatic strength by 41 is not enough as India's key concern is about funding and shielding of Khalistanis on Canadian soil," a source said, adding, "diplomats, security and probe agency officials have been asked to collect relevant evidence to be shared with the FATE." "The core issue in India's relationship with Canada is the safe space that terrorists and criminal elements have secured in that country." This recent statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, is enough to highlight India's major concern and priority in the ties between New Delhi and Ottawa.

"With Canada seeking to divert the focus from the core issue of Khalistani elements having a free run on its soil, India has no other option but to report Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's inaction against pro-Khalistan elements in his country to FATF. India is, therefore, planning to collect evidence of terror funding and financing emanating from Canada and present it to FATF," a person aware of the development told The Sunday Guardian.