Travel advisory issued by Indian Govt for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada

Digital Desk: The Indian government issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada on Wednesday, advising them to "exercise utmost caution" in light of  growing "anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and violence in Canada."

The warning comes a day after the Canadian government issued a similar warning to its people living in India in light of the current impasse between the two countries over the alleged killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

Furthermore, the dispute originates from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's suspicions of the "potential" participation of Indian operatives in Nijjar's death.

The Ministry of External Affairs' spokeswoman, Arindam Bagchi, took to X (previously known as Twitter) to share the issued directive.

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The government informed the Indian population in Canada that the High Commission/Consulates General will continue to communicate with Canadian authorities to ensure their safety and well-being.

It advised Indian students in Canada to "exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant" due to the "deteriorating security environment in Canada."

"Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in," the advisory stated, adding that registration would allow authorities to assist in the event of an emergency or untoward incident.

India had previously expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation for Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the matter, further straining relations between the two countries. 

Currently, amid the row, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the new Parliament building on Wednesday and briefed him on the situation.