“Growing politically-condoned hate crimes”: India urges its nationals to use extreme care when traveling in Canada

India on Wednesday urged its people in Canada or those wanting to visit the country to use extreme care in light of the rising number of “politically-condoned” hate crimes, in what is being regarded as retaliation to Canada’s recent alert. The Indian government issued a strongly worded warning in which it claimed that “threats” had been made against the Indian community for opposing the anti-Indian agenda being promoted in Canada.

“All Indian nationals in Canada as well as those who are considering traveling are asked to exercise the greatest vigilance in light of the rising anti-Indian activities, politically-tolerated hate crimes, and criminal violence there. Threats have recently targeted Indian diplomats in particular as well as Indians who disagree with the anti-India agenda, according to the advice.

The warning also urged Indian students in Canada to exercise great care and to keep vigilance in light of the country’s escalating anti-Indian sentiment. Additionally, it urged them to register with the local consulates and the Indian High Commission.

Indian students in particular are encouraged to use extra care and be watchful due to Canada’s worsening security climate. The MADAD portal, madad.gov.in, or the High Commission of India in Ottawa, or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver, must be used to register Indian citizens and students from India studying in Canada, it said.

The Canadian government had earlier in the day amended its travel advice for its people, advising them to avoid traveling to Punjab, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir if at all possible.

The warnings from Canada and India come against the background of a recent diplomatic spat over the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of being involved in the death of Nijjar in June of this year and expelled an Indian ambassador.

The claims were deemed “absurd and politically motivated” by India, which also requested that the head of the Canadian intelligence service’s India post leave the country within five days.

Two hooded assailants shot and murdered Nijjar in the Surrey parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. In 2020, Delhi labeled him as a terrorist.