In an updated travel advisory for India, Canada has advised its citizens to exercise extreme caution when visiting Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Indian nationals were advised to exercise “due caution and remain vigilant following the sharp increase in hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-Indian activities” in Canada days earlier by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
According to the updated travel advisory, Canadians should also avoid travelling to Assam, Manipur, and the UTs of J&K and Ladakh due to insurgency and terrorism.
The Canadian Government cited the presence of landmines and unexploded devices in Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan, which border Pakistan. It advises against traveling within 10 kilometers of the Pakistani border in Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan due to unpredictable security conditions, landmines, and unexploded ordnance.
According to the MEA, hate crimes, sectarian violence, and anti-India activities have been reported in Canada since September 25. According to analysts, re-repeating and advertising the Indian advisory would reduce student outflow to Canada. International student numbers in Canada have grown by 220 percent since 2016. The number of Indian students receiving student visas in 2021 was 1.25 lakh. The Punjab and Gujarat regions of India are the most popular destinations for Canadians traveling to India. The majority of them are Indians who are aware of the actual situation in these states.
Arindam Bagchi, a MEA spokesperson, expressed dissatisfaction with the Canadian government’s handling of India’s complaints over the so-called Khalistan referendum held in Brampton a day before India issued the advisory. In a friendly country, extremists are allowed to conduct politically motivated exercises. There has been a history of violence in this regard, as you are all aware. He noted at a media briefing that India would continue to press the Government of Canada on this issue.
