India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada, due to the “growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes, and criminal violence,” in the North American country.
“Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,” the statement said, adding that Indian nationals are therefore advised “to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.”
“Our High Commission/Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indian community in Canada. Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
“Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident,” the statement reads.
Canada updates travel advisory for India, asks citizens to avoid Jammu, Kashmir
On Tuesday, Canada issued a travel advisory for its citizens travelling to India “ due to the unpredictable security situation”, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement on New Delhi’s possible involvement in the slaying of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canada has issued a travel advisory for its citizens planning to visit India, urging them to exercise a high degree of caution.
The statement specifically advises against all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the volatile security situation, which includes threats of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest, and kidnapping. However, it excludes any travel to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.
This advisory holds significance in the context of the escalating tensions between Canada and India following Canada’s accusations of potential Indian government involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen named Nijjar in June.
Diplomatic tensions have risen, with both countries expelling senior diplomats in response.
“India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said while clarifying that Canada is not seeking to provoke or escalate the situation, and that India needed to take these allegations seriously.
Canada had previously stated that there were credible allegations linking agents to New Delhi to the murder of Nijjar on June 18 in front of a Sikh cultural center in a Vancouver suburb.
In response, the Narendra Modi government in India dismissed these allegations as absurd. Trudeau reiterated that Canada’s intention is not to escalate tensions but to present the facts as they understand them.
This travel advisory and the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India continue to be significant developments in the international arena.
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