After days of outrage here, Canada today expressed "deep regret" over the foul language used by its officials against Indian security and intelligence establishments following which India treated the unpleasant chapter as closed.

In a damage-control exercise, Canada's minister of citizenship and immigration Jason Kenney hailed the Indian defence and security institutions, saying they operate "under the framework of democratic processes and the rule of law".

Terming as "unfortunate" the incidents involving use of foul language by Canadian High Commission in 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."

In a statement emailed from Ottawa, he said, "The government of Canada, therefore, deeply regrets the recent incident in which letters drafted by public service officials during routine visa refusals to Indian nationals cast false aspersions on the legitimacy of work carried out by Indian defence and security institutions, which operate under the framework of democratic processes and the rule of law."

The comments came in the backdrop of an outrage in India over adverse comments made by Canadian High Commission officials here against Indian armed forces and intelligence establishment while rejecting visas of some senior serving and retired officials.

Soon after Kenney expressed regrets, external affairs minister S M Krishna said in Bangalore that Canada had realised its "mistake" and India treats the matter a "closed chapter".

"We have received a copy of the statement made by Jason Kenny, Canadian minister for citizenship. He has expressed high regards for India. They have deeply regretted the recent letter drafted by low level officials on routine visa applications casting aspersions on security forces," he told reporters.

"They told us that this language in no way reflects the policy or perceptions of Canada about India. I think they have realised their mistakes. We should consider the chapter closed," Krishna said.