Canada’s advisory for citizens in India amid row over Khalistani’s killing
The Canadian government on Tuesday issued an advisory for its citizens living in India in view of the ongoing standoff between.
The two nations over the alleged killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Diplomatic relations between India and Canada turned sour after Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of “agents of the Indian government” in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist.
The advisory, published on the website of Government of Canada, urged Canadian nationals living in India to observe a high degree of caution.
“Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country,” the advisory read.
“There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities,” it added.
Suggesting its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to India, the advisory stated, “Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving”.
The advisory also suggested citizens living in India to “think about leaving the country if it is safe to do so”.
The advisory even asked it citizens to avoid all travel to Jammu and Kashmir due to the “unpredictable security situation”. “There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping. This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh,” it read.
INDIA REJECTS TREDEAU’S CHARGE
India has outrightly rejected Justin Trudeau’s assertion of a “potential link” between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s killing, deeming it “baseless” and “motivated,” suggesting it lacks factual grounding and may be influenced by undisclosed motives or political considerations.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, earlier in the day, expelled a high-ranking Indian diplomat, identified as Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
In a tit-for-tat response, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, Cameron MacKay, the Canadian High Commissioner to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that this action was taken to convey New Delhi’s deepening concerns regarding the “interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.”