India issues travel advisory for Indian nationals and students amid political tensions with Canada

The Ministry of External Affairs of India has released an advisory for Indians living in Canada. The advisory comes a day after Canada updated its travel advisory for India. The shift in interests comes after the tit-for-tat dismissals of envoys and the diplomatic standoff that ensued as a result of Canada’s claims that Indian authorities were involved in the murder of a Khalistani terrorist. 

The advisory, issued on Wednesday, highlights growing anti-India activities and “politically condoned hate crimes” in Canada and urges Indian nationals in the country as well as those planning to travel to Canada to exercise caution.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

The murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June was allegedly carried out by “agents of the Government of India,” according to “credible allegations” made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday in a speech to the Canadian parliament.

India issues advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada

​"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.… pic.twitter.com/G6cmhSuGfb

— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

Indian citizens and students studying in Canada must additionally register with the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Indian Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, or the MADAD portal at ‘madad.gov.in.’ According to the MEA, registration will make it easier for the High Commission and Consulates General to communicate with Indian people living in Canada in the case of an emergency or other unfavorable situation.

All Indian nationals in Canada and those considering travel are asked to exercise the utmost vigilance in light of the escalating anti-Indian activities, politically tolerated hate crimes, and criminal violence there. Threats have recently targeted Indian diplomats and Indians who disagree with the anti-India agenda, in particular. The Ministry of External Affairs advises Indian people to stay away from areas and possible locations in Canada that have seen such instances.

Canada’s advisery

Canada advised its citizens on Tuesday, and the new advisory includes several specific guidelines regarding Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and Manipur. According to the advisery, the security in Jammu and Kashmir is fragile, with risks of violence, unrest, and terrorism. Extremist groups in Assam and Manipur target authorities and may commit crimes for their funding.

#WATCH | Ottawa: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau says, "The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate, we are simply laying out the facts as we understand them and we want to… pic.twitter.com/NyJbdxVJm6

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2023