New Delhi: Referring to the recent allegations of plots to murder pro-Khalistan elements in the United States and Canada, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the two issues weren’t the same. He said the Americans “told us some specific things”.

Drawing a distinction between the allegations, he said India is always ready to look into specific issues raised by other countries.

“If any country, not just Canada, if any country has a concern and gives us some input or some basis for that concern, we are always open to look at it. This is what countries do,” he said.

“The point was when Americans brought up some issues…and the two issues are not necessarily the same. When they brought up that issue the Americans told us some specific things. What happens in international relations from time to time such challenges can arise. So we very sincerely have told the Canadians saying that look it’s up to you, I mean your choice whether you would like us to pursue it, further look into it or not,” he said at an event in Bengaluru.

The United States has asked India to assist in a probe in an unsuccessful alleged plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Sing Pannun. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an indictment against a man named Nikhil Gupta, accusing an Indian government employee of hiring hitmen to kill Pannun.

Canada had accused Indian agents of planning the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to an unprecedented low in the diplomatic relations between India and the north American country. India has rubbished the allegations and said Canada hasn’t backed its allegations with any evidence.

On China, Jaishankar said India wants better relations with China.

“I know there are some neighbouring relationships which are a problem, but I would suggest to you that the one with Pakistan is actually an exception… I would say each one of our neighbours today actually has a lot of good experiences and a lot of good things to say about India. It’s also natural with neighbours that there will be issues of difference. I think we should not expect that all our neighbours will agree with us on all issues every day… In China,…we would certainly like our relationship with China to be better than what it is today. But if things have taken a turn for the more difficult in the last three years, it’s not because of us. It is because they have chosen not to observe the agreements on the border. But again, diplomacy is, however difficult your neighbours, however challenging they are, you never give up,” he added.