#JaspalAtwal traveled to India on a valid visa. This was 3rd third visit. Govt of India has a conscious policy of o… https://t.co/aC2qO8LkhI — ANI (@ANI) 1520591558000

(With agencies inputs)

NEW DELHI: Ministry of External Affairs today clarified that Jaspal Atwal , a convicted Sikh terrorist who last month caused a diplomatic crisis with his photograph with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's wife at a Mumbai event, was granted visa as part of the government's "conscious" policy of outreach to Indian diaspora, including misguided elements."Jaspal Atwal travelled to India on a valid visa. This was his third visit. Government of India has a conscious policy of outreach to Indian diaspora including misguided elements who in past may have harboured anti-India sentiments which they have since renounced," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing the weekly media briefing.Yesterday, Atwal apologized for the embarrassment he caused to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and India by attending an event during his visit to Mumbai and asserted that he no longer supported the Sikh independence movement.Reading from a prepared statement, he said he was "shocked and devastated" when controversy exploded over his attendance at the event."I had assumed there would be no problem. No one at any point indicated there would be any issue," said Atwal."I am sorry for the embarrassment this matter has caused to Canada, India, my community and family and friends," Atwal was quoted as saying by the Star.com.Atwal said he has "nothing but regret and remorse" for his role in the 1986 attack on Sidhu, adding he is no longer a supporter of the Sikh independence movement."I, like the vast majority of Sikhs who once advocated for this cause, have reconciled with the nation of India," he was quoted as saying by CBC News."I have nothing but regret and remorse for my actions and the suffering I caused to the victim. What I did was described as an act of terror by the judge who dealt with this matter. I accept full responsibility. I do not disagree with the court's conclusions," he said.The controversy surrounding Atwal erupted last month after he was photographed with Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire and other senior officials at the event in Mumbai as part of Trudeau's first state visit to India.He was also invited to the dinner reception at the residence of the Canadian High Commissioner in Delhi during Trudeau's week-long visit. The invitation was later withdrawn.Atwal, 62, was a Sikh separatist active in the banned International Sikh Youth Federation when he was convicted for attempting to murder Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver in 1986. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail. He was released on parole in the early 1990s.