New Delhi: Canada Sunday issued an updated travel advisory for citizens embarking on trips to India, by urging them to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to “calls for protests” amid the ongoing diplomatic tussle between the two countries.
“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,” the online travel advisory portal says.
The development comes over a diplomatic row between the two countries over the killing of Sikh separatist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was killed by unidentified assailants on 18 June and Canada claims it has shared with India evidence of “credible allegations” of potential link between the murder and Indian agents.
On its part, India has dismissed the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.
As part of the updates posted at 1.22 pm Eastern time (10:52 pm Indian Standard Time) Sunday, the Canadian government also referred to India’s suspension of visa services to Canadian applicants, affecting entry and exit processes.
On 20 September, India had issued its own advisory to Canada-based Indian nationals and students, urging caution in light of “growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes”. Canada had rejected India’s advisory at the time, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller telling local media that “everyone knows how safe Canada is”.
Canada states its primary reason for advising caution to those travelling to India as the “threat of terrorist attacks across the country”, citing the security situations in Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir and other border areas with Pakistan — including Punjab.
Significantly, online archives show that the cautionary advice predates the ongoing diplomatic tussle. But before Sunday, the advisory said to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the security situation in specific regions in India, as opposed to the newer “calls for protest” and suspension of visa services following Trudeau’s allegations.
Aside from the updates, Canada’s overall travel advisory for citizens going to India offers detailed warnings on incidences of crime, forced marriages, fraud, scams, women’s safety and road safety, among other issues.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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