New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 26, 2023 14:08 IST
In the wake of escalating tensions between Canada and India, the Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India. The advisory, released on Sunday, urges Canadians to “stay vigilant and exercise caution” given the current environment, marked by calls for protests and a discernible “negative sentiment” towards Canada on social media platforms.
The heightened strain in bilateral relations comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau levied serious allegations hinting at the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45. The fatal incident took place in British Columbia on June 18. Notably, India had labelled Nijjar as a terrorist back in 2020.
India was prompt to dismiss these charges as “absurd” and “motivated”. Following this, India and Canada expelled diplomats from each other’s countries. India’s expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat was in retaliation to Ottawa’s move to send back an Indian official over the Nijjar case.
The recent Canadian advisory mirrors an earlier cautionary note issued by New Delhi for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada. India also suspended visa services late last week in light of the developments.