Canada row: Rejects India's travel advisory, urges calm amid diplomatic tensions
Toronto, September 21: The Canadian government has rebuffed India's travel advisory, asserting that Canada remains one of the world's safest countries. This response comes amidst an escalating diplomatic dispute between the two nations, sparked by allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
The accusations made by Trudeau have ignited a diplomatic rift, with India dismissing them as baseless and retaliating by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat in response to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official.
On Wednesday, India issued a travel advisory to its citizens residing in Canada and those planning to travel there, urging them to exercise "utmost caution." The advisory cited the increasing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in Canada. As tensions over the assassination of a Khalistani separatist leader continue to rise, the diplomatic standoff threatens to escalate further.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi conveyed its concerns about "threats" targeting Indian diplomats and segments of the Indian community that oppose the "anti-India agenda." It cautioned Indian nationals to avoid traveling to regions and venues in Canada where such incidents have occurred.
Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, sought to reassure Indian nationals, emphasizing that Canada is a safe destination. He made these remarks as a leader of the banned Sikh separatist movement in India announced plans for rallies in Canadian cities on Monday, calling for the closure of New Delhi's diplomatic missions.
Miller stated, "Canada is a safe country, and given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations, it's important for everyone to stay calm." He emphasized that Canada is governed by the rule of law and is one of the safest countries in the world.
However, Miller acknowledged that the Canadian allegations regarding the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist have heightened tensions with the Indian government. He emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the need for ongoing discussions with India.
Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, Sean Fraser, refrained from commenting on the specifics of the probe into Nijjar's death to avoid compromising any investigations. He encouraged Canadians to trust in the ability of security services to conduct a thorough investigation, stressing the importance of upholding justice through a due process.
As the diplomatic row continues to unfold, both nations face the challenge of deescalating tensions and finding a path toward resolution.
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- With inputs from agencies
