The diplomatic tussle between Canada and India began after the former accused the Narendra Modi government for playing a role in the assassination of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, and subsequently removed an Indian diplomat from his post. India has rejected the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated,” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation.
India on Wednesday issued a travel advisory to all its citizens living in Canada urging them to exercise “utmost caution” in light of increasing anti-Indian activities and “politically condoned” hate crimes. » in this North American country.
The MEA advisory referred to “threats” targeting Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community and an “anti-India agenda”, asking Indian nationals to avoid traveling to potential regions and locations of the Canada who witnessed such incidents.
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In light of the notice, Canada's Minister of Immigration Marc Miller sought to reassure Indian nationals on Wednesday that it is possible to travel safely to the country.
“Look, I think everyone knows that Canada is a safe country and, given the events of the last two or three days and the seriousness of the allegations, it's important that everyone remains calm,” he said. declared Miller, quoted by the Canadian Press. “Canada, by any measure, is one of the safest, if not the safest, countries in the world, governed by the rule of law. So I think people should read this statement for what it is ” Miller said. Miller acknowledged that tensions between the two governments were running high but that they needed to remain calm.
“Given what the Prime Minister has said very clearly to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, the allegations are very serious and these are discussions that must continue with India,” he said, adding: “At the same time, emotions are running high, and we have asked everyone to remain calm given the seriousness of the allegations.”
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser said Canadians should have confidence in the ability of security services to investigate the death.
“It's important that if we believe in justice…we believe in the process that gets us there,” Fraser said, as quoted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. “I am sure there are good reasons not to share details that could form the basis of such extraordinary allegations, as it is extremely important to protect the process of achieving a just outcome,” Fraser added.
India's MEA on Tuesday dismissed Trudeau's comments, saying “such unsubstantiated allegations seek to divert attention from Khalistan terrorists and extremists, who have taken refuge in Canada and continue to threaten sovereignty and territorial integrity from India “.
With contributions from PTI
