Krishna vows to probe visa issue; Canada promises help

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Tuesday said his ministry would look into the issue of the Indian Consul General in Chicago granting visas to terror suspect Tahawwur Rana without clearance from the Home Ministry.

Copies of visas issued to Pakistani-Canadian Rana and a woman Samraz Rana Akhthar, who he claimed to be his wife, show that both were issued multiple entry visas under the discretion of the Consul General. This was done in apparent violation of rules under which clearance of MHA is required for any person born in Pakistan. Both Rana and the Sanraz are originally from the Punjab province of Pakistan.

In a related development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on Tuesday discussed terror investigations related to Rana.
India had approached Canada to get more information about Rana who was part of a terror network along with David Headley and is currently in FBI custody in Chicago.

The matter came up during bilateral discussions between the two leaders on Tuesday in Hyderabad House. `` We have worked closely on this with our American friends..,’’ said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He further added, `` We have resolved to cooperate closely on this matter.’’ Mr Singh also said that the matter had come up for discussion.