India, on September 21, temporarily suspended visa application services in Canada, sparking concern among families of Indian-origin students and immigrants residing in the North American nation. Expressing their worry, individuals back in India are closely monitoring the situation.

“I have been watching the news and been a little worried. While my daughter who works in Brampton says there is nothing to worry about, I have told her to be careful and not step out of the house unnecessarily,” said a Noida-based elderly woman, who requested not to be named.

A media professional, who requested anonymity, whose daughter studies in Kingston, Ontario said students there are nervous and anxious. “Hoping that it does not escalate from here and should not impact studies or career. Haven’t heard anything from university yet,” she said, adding that though Ontario is a peaceful place, she has advised her daughter to maintain caution.

“Locals have been telling my daughter to stay away from unwanted gatherings and unnecessary travel,” she further said.

This comes as the Ministry of External Affairs has announced temporary suspension of all visa categories to Canadian citizens, including e-visas, in response to ongoing security threats faced by the Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada.

However, Canada so far has given no indication of suspension of visas for Indian nationals.

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Following India’s move, Canada PM Justin Trudeau said his country is not looking to "provoke or cause problems" with India and urged New Delhi to take the matter "extremely seriously" and work with Ottawa to "uncover the truth" behind killing of a Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Meanwhile, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety of Canada, has tweeted, "All Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities. The circulation of an online hate video targeting Hindu Canadians runs contrary to the values we hold dear as Canadians. There is no place for acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or incitement of fear."

Earlier this week, India had advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travelling there to exercise "utmost caution" in view of growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned" hate crimes in the North American country amid the diplomatic row over the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

CNBC-TV18 reached out to several Indian immigrants in Canada on September 20 (i.e. visa before service suspension announcement) and they suggested they have been going about their lives normally but a certain sense of fear prevails as there is uncertainty about whether things on ground would escalate against the backdrop of the diplomatic row.

Also Read: Canadian high commission 'temporarily adjusting staff presence in India' amid diplomatic row

Manpreet Kaur Longowal in the Prince Edward Island province said she returned from work at 11:50 pm on September 20.

“We are safe for now but an investigation must be carried out in the matter because it will impact Indian-origin students and immigrants deeply…If the relationship between India and Canada continues to remain tense, Indian nationals here and their parents back home will be worried all time,” the 30-year-old associated with Montreal Youth Student Organization (MYSO) said.

Another MYSO member Mandeep, who has a PR in Ontario, said Justin Trudeau’s statement is politically motivated at a time when his popularity has been declining sharply.

A survey by a Canadian Research firm Angus Reid Institute put Trudeau's disapproval rating this month at 63 percent. This comes against the backdrop of unaffordable housing and rising cost of living.

Also Read: Will Canada suspend visa services in India?

Mandeep believes the Canadian PM is trying to gather a vote bank of pro-Khalistan Sikhs by raising the Nijjar killing. Members of MYSO also highlighted the timing of raising the issue i.e. after the G20 Summit, when Nijjar was murdered in June. “It’s not a recent matter. There have been several such instances in the past but this one is being raised especially ahead of elections,” he said.

Thirty three-year-old Rishilpal Grewal, who is in Toronto from 2019 on a work permit, said, on the ground though things are normal but people sure are worried.

Meanwhile, India has called allegations levelled by the Canadian PM and Foreign Minister politically driven. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi called for focus on anti-india forces in Canada in general, which he said has found "a perfect breeding space" since the 1980s.

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On the hostile situation for foreign service personnel and staff stationed in Canada, the MEA Spokesperson called on the North American state to provide adequate security under the Vienna Convention, 1951.

The current diplomatic standoff between the two countries has also resulted in the expulsion of senior diplomats, with Canada saying the expelled diplomat is linked to an Indian intelligence service.

Also Read | India-Canada ties: What is the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance?

(Edited by : Akanksha Upadhyay)

First Published:Sept 22, 2023 2:55 PM IST