Canada rejects Indian travel advisory in escalating diplomatic strife
21.09.2023 posted by Admin
Canada has firmly rejected an advisory issued by the Indian government that urges travelers to exercise extreme caution when visiting Canada. This rejection marks a further escalation in the growing tensions between the two nations.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc swiftly responded to the travel advisory shortly after its release, asserting that Canada is a safe destination for travelers.
In a tit-for-tat move, Canada has also updated its travel information this week, cautioning travelers to be highly vigilant when visiting India due to the potential threat of terrorist attacks.
These exchanges of travel advisories occur amid an ongoing political dispute between Canada and India. The tension escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an official investigation into credible allegations of a possible connection between Indian government agents and the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
In response to Trudeau's remarks, India's foreign ministry did not directly address the investigation but expressed concern for the safety of its citizens in Canada. They cited politically motivated hate crimes and criminal violence as reasons for their advisory, particularly targeting Indian diplomats and segments of the Indian community that oppose anti-India agendas. The advisory advised Indian nationals to avoid traveling to areas in Canada where such incidents have occurred.
Trudeau's announcement of the investigation, made in a dramatic fashion before Canada's House of Commons, exacerbated long-standing tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. These tensions are rooted in the support of Sikhs in Canada for the establishment of an independent Sikh state in India, with Sikh advocates alleging persecution, surveillance, and constant threats under the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while New Delhi has consistently accused the separatist movement of planning violent actions.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc swiftly responded to the travel advisory shortly after its release, asserting that Canada is a safe destination for travelers.
In a tit-for-tat move, Canada has also updated its travel information this week, cautioning travelers to be highly vigilant when visiting India due to the potential threat of terrorist attacks.
These exchanges of travel advisories occur amid an ongoing political dispute between Canada and India. The tension escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an official investigation into credible allegations of a possible connection between Indian government agents and the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
In response to Trudeau's remarks, India's foreign ministry did not directly address the investigation but expressed concern for the safety of its citizens in Canada. They cited politically motivated hate crimes and criminal violence as reasons for their advisory, particularly targeting Indian diplomats and segments of the Indian community that oppose anti-India agendas. The advisory advised Indian nationals to avoid traveling to areas in Canada where such incidents have occurred.
Trudeau's announcement of the investigation, made in a dramatic fashion before Canada's House of Commons, exacerbated long-standing tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi. These tensions are rooted in the support of Sikhs in Canada for the establishment of an independent Sikh state in India, with Sikh advocates alleging persecution, surveillance, and constant threats under the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while New Delhi has consistently accused the separatist movement of planning violent actions.