On Wednesday, the government of India issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students, who are living in Canada.
Advisory for Indians
Image credit: India today
In light of the diplomatic showdown between India and Canada, the government of India has recently issued an advisory for the students and Indian nationals who are living in Canada.
Also Read: India Expels Canada’s Diplomat as Relations Become Fraught
The advisory has persuaded the Indians to undertake utmost caution in the backdrop of increasing activities against India and the rise of hate crimes and violence in Canada.
What was written in the advisory
Taking to Twitter (Now X), The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi has shared the advisory.
And it was written,
In the light of the growth in anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and violence of criminal order, every Indian national there and those thinking of traveling should try to exercise utmost caution”.
The advisory has further warned Indian diplomats and some sections belonging to the Indian community, who are against the anti-India agenda in Canada will most likely receive threats during the backdrop of ongoing controversy.
Therefore, the Indian nationals are counseled to avoid places that have witnessed anti-India incidents.
The government further said the commission/consulates general of India will be in touch to ensure the safety of the Indian community of Canada.
Also advised the nationals to register with the High Commission of India located in Ottawa or in consulates located in Toronto & Vancouver, through their website or through the portal MADAD (madad.gov.in).
As the authorities said it will be easy for them to help out the Indian nationals in case of untoward incidents or emergencies.
Trudeau’s claim
This advisory was generated the day after the prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau’s allegation.
The prime minister in the Canadian parliament alleged that there was a potential link between Indian agents and Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder who was killed in June.
This accusation of his was further dismissed by India calling it motivated and absurd.
Thus hitting the new low in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The advisory further serves as a reflection that not all is well in the Indo-Canada relationship.
Which had worsened over the years due to alleged indifference towards India’s concerns with regard to the pro-Khalistani elements operating in the Canadian territory.
Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
Image credit: The Hindu
According to media reports, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a known member of a movement for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland named Khalistan.
He’s also especially known for the organization of a referendum unofficially in collaboration with the Sikh for Justice organization.
He was also the chief of the banned organization Khalistan Tiger Force and one of the most wanted terrorists whose head carried a cash reward of ₹10 lakhs.
According to the Hindu report, he was a wanted man in India who posed a security threat.
On June 18th, 2024, he was shot dead outside the gurdwara in Surrey which is located in the western Canadian province of British Columbia.
The Canadian PM further said with regard to Hardeep Singh’s Nijjar’s murder, that he raised with the prime minister of India Narendra Modi, on the margins of the G20 summit early this month, Before the revelation of this alleged link.
What did the five eyes say?
Justin Trudeau further opined that the alliance of Five Eyes should make a joint announcement of the findings that allege India’s involvement in Nijjar’s death.
As per Wion’s report, the United States did not condemn India publicly. Outright refused it.
The United Kingdom, on the other hand, described these accusations as serious and the killing is being investigated.
While the Australian foreign ministry opined that they talked about their concerns with regard to these recent events.
However, according to the statesman citing the Washington Post, Five Eyes hasn’t jointly outright condemned the incident but has raised this issue in private during the course of G20.
