New Delhi

In shocking remarks, High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, who was recalled from Canada, warned Indian parents against sending children for higher studies to the country, saying they live in poor conditions which Khalistani terrorists often exploit by influencing and trying to recruit them.

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In interviews to Indian media outlets including PTI and NDTV this week, Verma highlighted the unemployment and unsanitary conditions in which Indian students, even from well-to-do families, are forced to live when in Canada.

This is due to the soaring rents and cost of living in Canadian cities.

Watch: India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Indian Envoy Slams Trudeau Government

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Verma said that Khalistani extremists initially give food and money to the students who often end up working in low-paying jobs like cab driving or daily wage labour to sustain themselves inspite of their high education levels.

Highlighting the grim living situation of the students, he said often up to eight individuals live in cramped accommodations.

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In a tongue-in-cheek remark, Verma said he was making some 'allegations' without giving evidence, similar to what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said about having 'credible allegations' about Indian involvement in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, without offering proof.

Verma alleged the Canadian government is seeing the Khalistani separatists as an intelligence asset and encouraging them. He claimed that Khalistani operatives might even be affiliated with Canada’s security agency, CSIS. 

“Khalistani extremists are being encouraged all the time. This is my allegation, I also know that some of these Khalistani extremists and terrorists are deep assets of CSIS, again I'm not giving any evidence.”

These extremists, he warned, are luring students with help, and then leading them into a vortex of radicalisation. 

Also read: Pro-Khalistan elements have infiltrated Canada’s defence forces and parliament, says recalled envoy

"Given the condition of that economy there are few jobs...students are offered money and food, and this is how Khalistani terrorists and extremists influence them with nefarious plans,” he said.

The students, he claimed, are pressured into taking part in anti-India protests, post images and videos of the same, and then told to seek asylum in Canada on the pretext of fear of punishment in India.

Also read: EAM Jaishankar slams Canada’s ‘double standards’ on free speech as India-Canada relations hit new low

He advised Indian parents to keep in regular touch with their wards studying in Canada and be vigilant about the influences surrounding them.

He also asked families to guide their children from "unwise choices" like going to Canada, pointing out the disillusionment the youngsters face about their educational and professional future in the country.

"Many of our children are not getting what they dreamed of. In fact, I can tell you that eight students are sharing one room for accommodation," he said.

On the academic front also, the situation is not bright, as Verma said some students attend classes just once a week and work the rest of the week.

"The entire week, they are forced to work as daily wage earners in stores," he said of the students, who often come from good families in India.

India recalled Verma amid renewed diplomatic tensions with Canada which were already in the dumps.

The latest flare-up came after PM Trudeau repeated his 'credible allegations' about Indian involvement in the killing of Nijjar, following which both countries recalled or expelled some of their diplomats.

(With inputs from agencies)