The Indian government is warning all Indian nationals and students in Canada to “exercise utmost caution” in response to what it claims are “growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.”
The Wednesday statement comes after a tit-for-tat expulsion of senior diplomats, first from Canada and then from India.
“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 traveling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents,” read the statement.
“Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.”
The statement went on to ask Indian nationals and students living in Canada to register with the High Commission of India in the cities closest to them so that they can be better informed should they face “any emergency or untoward incident.”
“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,” the statement concluded.
The diplomatic row started when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being involved in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar was an outspoken Sikh separatist who promoted the idea of having a Sikh region separate from India, known as Khalistan. He was murdered outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C. in June by two masked gunmen.
Trudeau announced that his government had intelligence that India’s government had involvement in the murder.
“Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” said Trudeau in the House of Commons on Monday. “In the strongest possible terms, I continue to urge the government of India to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter,” Trudeau continued.
“Canada is a rule of law country. The protection of our citizens and defense of our sovereignty are fundamental.”
