The invitation was rescinded after Atwal’s antecedents became clear, but the matter was complicated by an unnamed senior official, later revealed to be NSA Daniel Jean, briefing Canadian media on the “rogue elements” theory. Days later, foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said in an interview with the CTV network that during her meeting with her Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, she had described the invitation to Atwal as a “honest mistake”. This statement by Freeland has been seized on by the opposition in its motion, moved by Quebec MP Pierre Paul-Hus. The Canadian government has argued that any such testimony by the NSA must be held before a committee behind closed doors. The opposition Conservatives, though, want a public hearing and will push for that objective with the latest motion they have backed in the House.

Source: Hindustan Times March 22, 2018 11:48 UTC