Last Updated: September 25, 2023, 22:41 IST
Canada has updated travel advisory for its citizens in India. (File Image: PTI)
India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Last week, India issued a similar advisory for Indian nationals and students living in Canada
Amid the ongoing diplomatic tension with India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada on Monday updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India and cautioned them to remain vigilant as it believes there are growing “negative sentiments towards Canada on social media in the light of the recent developments.
“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 Canadian government said in its latest update.
The advisory comes after chaos flared up between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive allegations of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45.
India strongly rejected Trudeu’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.
Najjar was killed on June 18 in Canada’s British Columbia. India designated him as a terrorist in 2020.
Last week, India issued a similar advisory for Indian nationals and students living in Canada. India’s Ministry of External Affairs also announced the decision to stop all categories of visas, including e-visas, for Canadian Citizens amid the grave allegations.
Relations With India Important: Canadian Defence Minister
Earlier, Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair called Canada’s relations with India “significant” and voiced concern over the measures taken by India including the suspension of visa services for Canadians.
The Canadian minister also urged New Delhi to cooperate fully in the investigation of the killing of a Sikh separatist leader to uncover the truth and work together to resolve it in an appropriate way.
“I am concerned about the measures that they’re taking because we have a very significant (and) important Indo-Canadian population in this country, people who are connected to family and through business and other relationships to India.”
Set Up Helpline for Indian Students, NRIs in Canada: Punjab BJP Chief
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar urged External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to set up a helpline for Indian students and NRIs in Canada amid a diplomatic row between the two countries.
In his letter to the Union Minister, Jakhar while highlighting the concerns of citizens residing in Canada, urged him to release a detailed statement listing out the measures being taken by the Centre for the safety of the country’s citizens in Canada until the eventual resolution of this issue.
We Evidence of ‘Credible Allegations’ on Nijjar’s Killing: PM Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canada shared with India “many weeks ago” evidence that it may have been behind the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil and wants New Delhi to commit constructively with Ottawa to establish the facts in the “very serious matter.”
Meanwhile, India has also asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence. The size of Canadian diplomatic staff in India is larger than what New Delhi has in Canada.
