India-Canada diplomatic row: Travel warnings followed by visa suspension

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In signs of the deepening bilateral rift between New Delhi and Ottawa, governments of both countries have issued travel warnings against each other. Additionally, the Indian media has reported that India has suspended the issue of visas to Canadian citizens “till further notice”.

The travel warnings come days after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in the Canadian Parliament of “credible allegations” that Indian government agents may be connected to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader known for his demand for an independent Sikh homeland.

Canada and India have also expelled senior diplomats in reciprocal moves following Trudeau’s charge.

The Indian warning comes after Canada raised its threat level in its official travel information. It advised travellers to excercise ‘high degree of caution’ while in India due to the ‘threat of terrorist attacks’.

India issues travel warning

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued the warning on Wednesday. In its travel advisory it warned of “potential hate crimes.”

New Delhi notified its citizens travelling to Canada of: “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.”

“Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,” the ministry added. “Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.”

“Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant,” India’s foreign ministry added in its travel advisory.

The diplomatic rift comes in the backdrop of tensions concerning the actions of some members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada. Canada is home to the largest Sikh diaspora outside of Punjab.

The Indian government has previously expressed concern over “anti-India activities” in Canada, and raised the issue with Ottawa. However, Canada has maintained that no such activities have been carried out in its territory and its citizens are protected by the country’s laws regarding freedom of speech.

Meanwhile, Ottawa has rejected India’s travel warning that cites “security risks”. Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller was quoted by the Canadian Press as saying, “I think everyone knows Canada is a safe country and given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations that – it’s important for everyone to stay calm.”

Visa suspension

According to reports in Indian news media, the Indian government said the suspension of visa services is a temporary measure and that it will be reviewed in the coming weeks.

The suspension of visa services to Canadian citizens has been restricted due to ‘operational reasons’. The notification was announced by BLS International – an online visa application centre, which said, “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from September 21, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates.”

The notice was posted on the official website of ‘India Visa Application Center Canada’.

Canada halted trade talks with India ahead of the recent Group of 20 nations leaders’ summit in Delhi, where Trudeau said he raised the issue of Nijjar’s murder with his Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.