Canada has issued an updated travel advisory to its citizens in India, advising them to “stay vigilant and exercise caution,” considering recent developments, including calls for protests and “negative sentiment” towards Canada on social media.
The Canadian government’s response comes after New Delhi issued a similar warning to Indian nationals and students residing in Canada last week and halted visa services.
Canada’s Updated Travel Advisory
On Sunday, the Canadian government warned its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution, monitor local media, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
The Canadian government stated in an updated advisory, “In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution.”
In the travel advisory, the Canadian government indicated, “As of September 21, 2023, Indian visa services in Canada have been suspended until further notice.”
Tensions between India and Canada rose following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations of the “potential” participation of Indian agents in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia in June.
Nijjar was designated a terrorist by India in 2020. The Indian government has dismissed the charges as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Canadian Sikh Protests Against Indian Government
On Monday, Canadian Sikhs held small protests outside India’s diplomatic missions, a week after Trudeau stated there might be a link between New Delhi and the murder of a Nijjar.
Media sources report that in Toronto, around 100 protesters burned an Indian flag and attacked a cardboard cutout of Indian PM Narendra Modi with shoes. Nearly 200 protesters gathered outside the Vancouver consulate as well.
Meanwhile, fewer than 100 protesters gathered in front of the Indian High Commissioner’s office (embassy) in Ottawa. They carried yellow Khalistani flags, indicating their support for the secession of India’s Punjab area to form an independent state for Sikhs — a movement Nijjar campaigned for.
India’s Advisory
Last week, India issued an advisory in which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) warned Indians to avoid travelling to regions and potential sites in Canada where such protests or violence are possible.
India advised all its citizens living in Canada, and those considering visiting, to exercise “utmost caution” in light of growing anti-India activities and “politically-condoned” hate crimes.
Furthermore, the government particularly advised Indian students to travel with utmost caution and vigilance.
Rising India-Canada Tensions
The latest development in the diplomatic row includes reports that the US provided intelligence to Canada after Nijjar’s death, but conversations intercepted by Ottawa were more conclusive, prompting it to accuse India of organising the murder, as reported by the New York Times, citing sources.
On Saturday, a senior US official in Canada stated that “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” prompted Trudeau’s severe allegation against India in Nijjar’s killing.
The US has urged India to cooperate with Canada in its investigations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference, “It would be important that India work with the Canadians on this investigation. We want to see accountability.”
Trudeau emphasised his request for support and cooperation from the Indian government. “We are there to work constructively with India. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter,” he remarked.
Khalistan Row: Canada Issues New Travel Advisory, Warns Canadians in India to Remain Vigilant
The Canadian government’s response comes after New Delhi issued a similar warning to Indian nationals and students residing in Canada last week and halted visa services.
September 26, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: REUTERSCanadian PM Justin Trudeau.