Editing Border Security Force (section)

=== Canadian controversy ===
In 2010, some Canadian visa officials rejected the immigration application of a retired BSF soldier Fateh Singh Pandher, terming BSF a "notoriously violent paramilitary unit engaged in systematic attacks on civilians and responsible for torturing suspected criminals." This accusation did not go down well with the Indian government. The Indian External Affairs Ministry was asked by the Home minister to take up the issue with Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Canada-calls-BSF-a-violent-paramilitary-unit/H1-Article1-546685.aspx |title=Canada calls BSF a 'violent paramilitary unit' |date=21 May 2010 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524052010/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Canada-calls-BSF-a-violent-paramilitary-unit/H1-Article1-546685.aspx |archive-date=24 May 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Terming-BSF-notoriously-violent-Canada-rejects-ex-constables-visa/article16303160.ece|title=Terming BSF|first=Vinay|last=Kumar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008160348/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Terming-BSF-notoriously-violent-Canada-rejects-ex-constables-visa/article16303160.ece|archive-date=8 October 2017|df=dmy-all|newspaper=The Hindu|date=22 May 2010}}</ref> The Home ministry of India, as well as the Indian public in general and several of India's political parties, expressed outrage at this attack and called Canada's actions [[Indophobia|discriminatory]] and spurious, and denounced their charges against the BSF as baseless and unproven. The Indian government threatened diplomatic retaliation unless Canada withdrew their allegations. The Canadian government did not respond immediately.<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada Visa Application |url=https://etacanadaonline.com/ |work=[[Times of India]] |access-date=29 May 2010 |date=28 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222081713/https://etacanadaonline.com/ |archive-date=22 December 2016 }}</ref> It was speculated that diplomatic retaliation from India will consist of banning Canadians going to participate the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] if they are doing so through India. Public outrage in India prompted Canadian authorities to express "great respect for [[Indian Armed Forces|India's armed forces]] and related institutions."<ref>{{cite news |title= We have great respect for Indias armed forces -Canada |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/We-have-great-respect-for-Indias-armed-forces-Canada/articleshow/5961366.cms|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121103212451/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-22/india/28310027_1_notoriously-violent-force-india-canada-canadian-high-commission|url-status= live|archive-date= 3 November 2012|access-date=29 May 2010 |work= [[The Times of India]] |date=22 May 2010}}</ref> Subsequently, India's [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] summoned Canadian High Commissioner [[Joseph Caron]] and demanded that "the blatant discrimination against Indian security agencies" cease.<ref>{{cite news |title=Visa row, India warns Canada of retaliation |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/visa-row-india-warns-canada-of-retaliation/116382-3.html?from=tn |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]] |access-date=29 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013135743/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/visa-row-india-warns-canada-of-retaliation/116382-3.html?from=tn |archive-date=13 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> India's Minister of External Affairs, [[SM Krishna]], condemned Canada's actions and has expressed pride in the accomplishments of the BSF.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71865/visa-row-india-warns-canada.html |title=Visa Row, India warns Canada |publisher=Deccanherald.com |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017082402/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71865/visa-row-india-warns-canada.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Following complaints made by the Indian government and criticism of Canada's actions against India, the [[Harper government]] retracted their earlier accusations against BSF security officials. Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, [[Jason Kenney]], termed as "unfortunate" the incidents involving use of "foul language by the [[Canadian High Commission]] in [[visa (document)|visa]] rejection letters to some individuals," Kenney said, "This language, or the inaccurate impression it has created, in no way reflects the policy or position of the [[Government of Canada]]."<ref>
{{cite news
 |title=Canada regrets language used by its officials in visa letters
 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/blnus/10281470.htm
 |publisher=[[Business Line|The Hindu Business Line]]
 |access-date=29 May 2010
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317183841/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/bline/blnus/10281470.htm
 |archive-date=17 March 2014
 |df=dmy
}}</ref>