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," adding that India is a country where "we are very responsible, very prudent on what we do," according to media reports.

"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," Mr Jaishankar told news agency ANI, reports ndtv.com

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.

Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun - a dual citizen of the United States and Canada - was allegedly the target of the plot by India, alleged the US Department of Justice.

The US has filed "murder-for-hire" conspiracy charges against Indian national Nikhil Gupta. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years.

On November 18, the Government of India constituted a high-level enquiry committee to look into all the relevant aspects of the matter.

In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, who was the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India's most-wanted terrorists, was killed in June.

Refuting the allegations as "politically motivated", India said Canada should share evidence - a request Ottawa has so far declined.

"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," the Minister told the reporters.

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.