The Indian government has issued an advisory to its citizens in Canada, urging them to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes in the country.
The advisory, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on September 20, 2023, states that “in view of the increasing incidents of crime and violence against the Indian community in Canada, all Indian nationals in Canada and those planning to travel to Canada are advised to exercise utmost caution.”
The advisory also states that “Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.”
Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023
The MEA has also advised Indian nationals in Canada to report any incidents of crime or violence against them to the local police and to the Indian High Commission in Ottawa.
The advisory comes in the wake of a recent spate of attacks on Indians and Indian symbols in Canada. In June 2023, a Hindu temple in Toronto was vandalized with anti-India graffiti. In July 2023, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Vancouver was defaced. And in August 2023, a Sikh separatist leader was shot and killed in Surrey, British Columbia.
The Indian government has expressed deep concern over the growing anti-India activities in Canada and has urged the Canadian government to take all necessary steps to protect the safety and security of the Indian community in Canada.
