New Delhi: The government of India on Wednesday issued an advisory for the Indian nationals and the students residing in Canada “to exercise utmost caution”.
The advisory from the Indian government came a day after Canada on Tuesday issued a travel advisory to its citizens. It urged its citizens to exercise “high degree of caution” while travelling to India citing terrorism threat.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, said, “Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada.”
In the advisory, the MEA said, “In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.”
It said that “recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda”.
“Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents,” it said.
It further said that our High Commission or Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indian community in Canada.
“Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant,” it said.
Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in.
“Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident,” it added.
The Canadian government asked its citizens to avoid all travel to Jammu and Kashmir “due to the unpredictable security situation”, ramping up a confrontation between the two countries.
Earlier, Canada accused Indian government of being involved in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
“Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of 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,” Canada stated in the advisory for India, marking it an “Exercise A High Degree Of Caution”.
The latest development comes even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday demanded that India treat with “utmost seriousness” Canada’s allegations of New Delhi’s possible involvement in the slaying of Nijjar, a concern echoed by Washington.
