New Delhi: A week after India warned about a sharp increase in hate crimes and anti-India activities in Canada, the North American country has issued a travel advisory asking its citizens to avoid entering Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan due to “unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines” in those states.
“Avoid all travel to areas within 10 km of the border with Pakistan in the following states due to the unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance,” read the travel advisory, which was updated Tuesday.
The advisory, however, excludes the Wagah border crossing in Punjab.
The latest travel advisory from the Canadian government comes after the Ministry of External Affairs, on 23 September, issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada, warning of a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in the North American country.
“The Ministry of External Affairs and our High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to investigate the said crimes and take appropriate action. The perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada,” noted the MEA statement.
It added that Indian nationals in Canada and those travelling to Canada should exercise due caution, remain vigilant, and register themselves with Indian consulates in Canada in the event of any requirement or emergency.
Canada has placed India under the yellow tag – indicating that travellers should exercise a high degree of caution – in its list of country-wise risk levels.
The country have four risk levels for travellers. While a green indicates that those visiting that country should take normal security precautions, yellow requires tourists to be ‘very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities’. An orange indicates that travellers’ safety and security could be at risk and red implies that citizens should avoid all travel to that particular country.
Sources had earlier told ThePrint that the MEA advisory was intended to send strong signals to the Canadian government for their “lackadaisical approach” towards India’s repeated requests in taming the Khalistani elements that have given rise to gangsterism, likely promoted by the “invisible” ISI hand.
Earlier in February, when Canada witnessed massive protests by truckers, an advisory for Indian citizens in Canada was issued by the Indian High Commission.
However, the latest advisory from the Indian side was issued by the MEA to give a “loud and clear” message to the Trudeau government which continues to “rely heavily on these elements for vote bank politics,” sources had told ThePrint.
Also read: Khalistan on the Pacific: How the gangs of Punjab were born in Canada