Foreign Affairs committee  I would just repeat my observation that it's highly unusual. There are tools to address concerns about specific individual diplomats posted abroad, PNG, persona non grata. That's not what the Indian government chose to do. They did not, for example, name specific Canadian diplomats and say that they would like to kick this diplomat out of the country.

Foreign Affairs committee  I wouldn't want to speculate. What I would say is that we continue to have close partnerships with our like-minded allies as well as with partners around the world who understand that this is a unique situation and, I think, are understanding of the manner in which the Canadian government has responded to unexpected developments.

Foreign Affairs committee  I would simply observe that we continue to have very close discussions with our allies about some of the very difficult issues these incidents have brought to foreign ministries. Minister Joly has intensively engaged her colleagues, and not just allied colleagues but diverse colleagues from around the world, to understand their perspectives, to share Canada's views, to share our position and to, at the bottom of it, underscore the government's position, which is that while these are allegations, they're quite serious and it will be important to work together to allow justice to take its course.

Foreign Affairs committee  There is no way I can answer that. This was entirely unprecedented in nature. I wouldn't compare it to any other previous episode in diplomatic history for Canada.

Foreign Affairs committee  It's a terrific question. I'll readily admit it's not my métier or my area of specialization. I do know colleagues from our legal branch are very involved, but I'm afraid I can't speak to the details of that.

Foreign Affairs committee  I just want to express my appreciation for this sentiment. I will convey to our High Commissioner Cam MacKay and his colleagues the sentiments of support expressed. It's been a very difficult stretch for their team, and they appreciate all the understanding and support. With respect to our conversations with like-minded allies, these have been intensive.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'll just frame it again. Canada continues to raise issues of concern with all countries diplomatically, including India. In the case of India, India is also a democracy, just like Canada. It's an imperfect democracy, but it does have long-standing institutions of democracy, which provide some degree—as Canada's do—of gives and takes.

Foreign Affairs committee  I have full confidence in the Canadian extradition process and related law. As members of the committee may know, I have had some experience of that with respect to Canada-China relations recently. Canada has a very high standard. The test that needs to be met, the threshold for Canada to pursue an extradition, is quite high, as you know.

Foreign Affairs committee  Aspects of the question get us into assessments that would come to my purview in Global Affairs Canada through intelligence means and others as a subject of ongoing investigations or police work. I won't speak to the specifics, but what I will say is that the premise is correct that concerns about Khalistani extremism and transnational crime are top of mind for the Indian government.

Foreign Affairs committee  I think members of the committee will be aware that the public inquiry into foreign interference has scoped India into its discussions. There's no question that both the work of that inquiry and the resulting public discussion around these issues will do two things. First, it will shed light on the nature of those concerns and how the government has been or could be addressing them.

Foreign Affairs committee  Let me answer that in a couple of ways. There are two moving parts, if I might. There's the High Commission of Canada in Delhi. In that case, it was the Government of India's decision to effect a unilateral mass expulsion of 41 diplomats. That has meant our team is smaller with respect to Canadians accredited to India.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'm sorry. Let me just make sure that I get the nuance. I'm afraid I might have missed....

Foreign Affairs committee  No, we have not. I'm sorry to be difficult in getting to the direct answer. It's no.

Foreign Affairs committee  That hasn't been done yet because that investigation's still alive. In the middle of that investigation, or at least at an earlier point in September, it was the case that the government became aware that the media was about to release information regarding this case, so the government prepared to respond and discuss those matters in public.

Foreign Affairs committee  I'm not going to be here to justify how India reacted. I think I spoke earlier and I'll repeat again that the allegations were sensational and unprecedented, and since Mr. Nijjar's murder earlier in summer, it is the case that this community of Canadians had already been very concerned about their security.