The Canadian government has rejected a travel advisory issued by India about security risks in Canada, claiming it is one of the safest countries in the world.
It has also called for calm amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations over the killing of a Khalistani leader in Canada in June this year.
Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller sought to reassure Indian nationals on Wednesday that it is safe to travel to the country.
The assurance comes even as a leader of the Sikh separatist movement banned in India has announced plans for rallies in Canadian cities on Monday that seek the closing of New Delhi’s diplomatic missions in the country, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.
“Look, I think everyone knows Canada is a safe country and given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations that – it’s important for everyone to stay calm,” The Canadian Press quoted Miller as saying.
“Canada by any standard is one of the safest if not the safest countries in the world that is governed by the rule of law. So, I think people should read that statement for what it is,” Miller claimed.
In a strongly-worded advisory, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) referred to “threats” targeting Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community that oppose the “anti-India agenda”, and on Wednesday asked Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada which have seen such incidents.
Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023
Canada-India tensions
Meanwhile, the Canadian minister acknowledged that his country’s allegations of the “potential” involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Khalistani leader have heightened tensions with the Indian government.
“Given what the Prime Minister has said quite clearly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the allegations are very serious, and these are discussions that have to continue with India,” he said.
“At the same time, emotions are running high, and we’ve asked everyone just to stay calm given the seriousness of the allegations,” Miller said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of “potential” involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June unleashed a diplomatic row with India rejecting the charges as “absurd” and “motivated”.
It also led to New Delhi expelling a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official.
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