Canada has issued a travel advisory to its citizens in India, advising them to “stay vigilant and exercise caution” due to recent developments, including calls for protests and negative sentiment towards Canada on social media.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of potential involvement by Indian agents in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which occurred on Canadian soil on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.
India rejected these allegations, describing them as “absurd” and “motivated.” In response, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat action following Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official in connection with the case.
“In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution,” the Canadian government stated in an update on Sunday.
This advisory follows a similar one issued by New Delhi for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada, along with the suspension of visa services late last week.