India is outraged and has alleged discrimination after Canada has refused visas to several Indian officers citing grounds ranging from human rights violation to terrorism.

"We take this matter very very seriously, that's what I want to say. Of course, the Canadian Foreign Minister has in a public statement stated that Canada has the highest regard for India's democratic institutions and processes and also respect for India's armed forces and related institutions. But let me once again say we did take up the matter, we expressed serious concern and we continue to take this matter very seriously," Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary.

The Canadian authorities were conveyed about the "discriminatory" attitude towards the Indian security agencies and told firmly that its nationals, working in war-ravaged Afghanistan, may also face similar problems if such discrimination did not come to an end, the sources said.

For the second time in two weeks the Canadian High Commission has refused a visa to an Indian officer. An Intelligence Bureau officer, who retired at the Joint Director rank, was denied a visa in March, the officer, SS Sidhu, wanted to visit his son and has been to Canada twice before.