Xeeis — India has issued a stern travel advisory urging its citizens to exercise vigilance while in Canada. The advisory highlights concerns of “politically condoned hate crimes” and follows recent allegations by Ottawa that India may be linked to the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil.
The advisory, released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, states, “Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.” It also notes the deteriorating security situation in Canada and specifically advises Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
Additionally, the advisory recommends that Indian nationals and students register with the High Commission of India or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver. This registration is intended to facilitate better communication with Indian citizens in Canada in case of emergencies or untoward incidents.
In response to the travel advisory, a visa consultancy service in Canada briefly announced on its website that India had suspended visa services for Canadian citizens starting Thursday, citing a notice from the Indian mission. BLS International, responsible for handling visa applications for India in Canada, attributed the suspension to “operational reasons.” However, the notice was later removed without explanation.
These developments come in the aftermath of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement, wherein he mentioned that authorities were investigating “credible allegations” of a potential connection between “agents of the government of India” and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Canadian citizen. Nijjar was fatally shot by masked individuals in June.
New Delhi has vehemently denied these allegations, deeming them “absurd and motivated.” Nevertheless, Trudeau’s remarks have strained relations between India and Canada, leading to reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats and the potential for an uncomfortable rift between two significant U.S. allies.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the establishment of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland that would encompass parts of India’s Punjab state. In India, the Khalistan movement is outlawed and regarded as a national security threat, with several associated groups labeled as “terrorist organizations” under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Nijjar’s name appeared on the Home Ministry’s list of UAPA-designated terrorists, and in 2020, India’s National Investigation Agency accused him of “attempting to radicalize the Sikh community worldwide in favor of the creation of ‘Khalistan.'” The agency also alleged that he was actively inciting Sikhs to support secession, protest against the Indian government, and engage in violent activities.
According to local law enforcement, Nijjar was fatally shot in his truck by two masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. His murder deeply shocked and angered Canada’s Sikh community, one of the largest Sikh populations outside of India, with over 770,000 members of the religious minority.
As of now, Canadian police have not made any arrests in connection with Nijjar’s killing. However, in an August update, they revealed that they were investigating three suspects and provided a description of a possible getaway vehicle, appealing to the public for assistance.