UpdateIndia has called on its own citizens in Canada to be “extremely careful”. India’s Foreign Ministry says there are “increasing anti-India activities” and “politically sanctioned hate crimes” in the North American country. Indians are advised to stay away from areas where incidents have occurred.
The travel warning follows a diplomatic row between the countries. Canada says it has evidence that India was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader. He was shot dead by disguised assailants in a Vancouver suburb. India says it has nothing to do with that.
That row between the countries is not referred to in India’s travel warning. There are also no specific places mentioned where Indians should stay away. Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc (Public Safety) said he found the warning unnecessary. “Canada is a safe country.”
Murder
Canadian authorities believe “credible elements” point to Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh leader in western Canada in June. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this in Parliament on Monday.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead, was a Canadian citizen. “The involvement of any foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil constitutes an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty,” Trudeau said. A senior Indian diplomat was expelled from Canada.
The Sikh leader was shot dead by two masked men in June. He was sitting in his car in the parking lot of a Sikh house of worship in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. Sikhs then took to the streets in several cities, in Canada and abroad, to protest against the Indian government, which they said was responsible for the murder.
Trudeau also called on the Indian government to cooperate in resolving the matter. Ties between the two countries had already come under strain in recent months due to the murder and the subsequent demonstrations. Ottawa suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.
India response
India yesterday called Canada’s allegations that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in the country “absurd and motivated”, a foreign ministry statement said. “We have a democratic system with a strong commitment to the rule of law.”
Trudeau conveyed his concerns “personally and directly” to his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi. India confirms the latter: “Similar allegations have been made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and have been completely rejected,” the ministry said.
India accuses the Canadian government of allowing the activities of radical nationalist Sikhs. They strive for their own independent state in the north of India.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.