Foreign Affairs committee  There's no question that these events, the allegations and how governments have responded to them, have brought on a very challenging period in Canada-India relations, but it's also the case, as my colleague Mr. Verma, the high commissioner for India, has described it, that there continues to be constructive engagement on both sides.

Foreign Affairs committee  You'll recall that in the fall there was a temporary pause on the side of the Indian government in terms of issuance of some categories of visas to Canadians. That has largely, although not entirely, been restored, but the visa services for the vast majority of visa categories used by Canadians have been restored.

Foreign Affairs committee  —about allegations. He referred to allegations of a serious nature based on information available, but he also referred to the importance of allowing a police inquiry to continue and have the space to do what it does.

Foreign Affairs committee  My understanding is that when the RCMP's investigation has reached the stage at which it would proceed through a potential prosecution, there would be a charge sheet released and there would be an announcement—

Foreign Affairs committee  The notification for any information required would come at the point in an investigation where the police and prosecution were ready, presumably, to lay charges. For the police, their approach to engaging foreign governments would be, in this case, no different from any other.

Foreign Affairs committee  I think it's important to be precise about wording. I don't believe the Prime Minister levelled accusations. My recollection is that the Prime Minister spoke in the House of Commons—

Foreign Affairs committee  I think that the conditions under which Canada will share information relating to Canadian citizens or nationals living in Canada will always be compliant with Canadian legal standards. That's the premise under which we share information for investigations in foreign countries, not least for extradition requests.

Foreign Affairs committee  Indeed, and I have full confidence that the RCMP is alive to that and following Canadian legal standards in terms of how to respond to those concerns.

Foreign Affairs committee  Can I just clarify? You're referring to the police investigation and the way—

Foreign Affairs committee  Understanding that I'm a diplomat and not a policeman or investigator—

Foreign Affairs committee  I think I understand that the premise is not.... There's no perfect comparison, but I get the spirit of the question. It's important to remember that, as I said in my opening, we've had some very challenging periods in our relationship—Air India not the least. That was a tragedy for both Canada and Canadians, and India and Indians.

Foreign Affairs committee  Very quickly, we are managing essential services with a reduced team of 21 in Delhi. We are working across departments, including principally IRCC, which has a huge volume of public services. To date, they're managing to keep up with core services, although service standards and volumes can be expected to bring pressure on that small team in Delhi.

Foreign Affairs committee  Canada does have an ongoing dialogue with India, as we do in our diplomacy with most countries on human rights-related issues. Canada has raised concerns about human rights-related issues with India, principally in the public domain, through our response to India's universal periodic review at the United Nations human rights committee.

Foreign Affairs committee  Indeed, the Indo-Pacific strategy that the government launched a year ago is a 10-year strategy. To the question, while there are challenges at the moment, as I mentioned in my opening statement, in our bilateral relationship with India, I don't think anyone would disagree with the strategic importance of India, its economic growth and its global impact.

Foreign Affairs committee  Mr. Chair, I'm happy to answer the question. I think the first part of that two-part question is speculative in a way, because we knew the media was aware of this information. It had sought commentary, so we knew that a story was going to be coming into the public domain. I think the first thing to do is just underscore the unprecedented nature of the story.