Canada Travel Advisory Update: Is It Safe To Travel To Canada From India?

Canada has issued an updated travel advisory for India, urging its citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" throughout the country due to the risk of terrorist attacks. The statement from the Canadian government reads, "Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country."

This updated advisory comes shortly after Canada's announcement of the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India, following a diplomatic dispute related to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that India had threatened to unilaterally revoke the diplomats' official status by Friday unless they departed, which she deemed "unreasonable and unprecedented" and a violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

Joly emphasized the importance of preserving diplomatic immunity, stating that allowing it to be breached could jeopardize diplomats worldwide. Therefore, Canada chose not to reciprocate. The 41 diplomats were accompanied by 42 dependents.

In response to the diplomatic tensions, Canada has temporarily suspended in-person services at its consulates in Chandigarh, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Consequently, the latest Canadian travel advisory advises its citizens to contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi, for any required assistance.

In addition to recommending caution, Canada has advised its citizens to avoid "non-essential" travel in certain regions of India. According to the official statement, Canadians are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Assam and Manipur due to the "risk of terrorism and insurgency."

Furthermore, Canadians have been advised to refrain from all types of travel to Jammu and Kashmir and the three states sharing borders with Pakistan. The advisory specifies that travel to or within Ladakh is an exception to this rule.

Travel of any kind within 10 kilometers of the border with Pakistan in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab is also discouraged due to the "unpredictable security situation and the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance." It's worth noting that this advisory excludes the Wagah border crossing.

The diplomatic tension between India and Canada has escalated, with India requesting the withdrawal of nearly 40 diplomats by October 10. India had reportedly threatened to revoke the diplomatic immunity of any Canadian diplomat remaining in the country after this date. This friction in diplomatic relations has been compounded by allegations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, suggesting a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjar's murder, which India has vehemently rejected. Nijjar was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in a Vancouver suburb.