After Indian media reports on ‘tit for tat’ advisory, Canada denies any change linked to MEA travel advice

The Canadian High Command has clarified that no new advisory has been issued – as suggested by sections of the Indian media – in response to India’s advisory on rising hate crimes and “anti-India activities” in the North American country. It said a recent revision was only related to monkeypox and Covid.

A spokesperson from the Canadian High Command reportedly said that no new updates under the “risk levels” and “safety and security” sections were made to its travel advisory for citizens travelling to India. The information has been “in place for a long period of time”, the spokesperson said. “The update made on September 27 was related only to the ‘health’ section and more specifically to the ‘Covid-19 and international travel’ and ‘monkeypox: advice for travellers’ sub-sections.”

On September 23, the ministry of external affairs had issued an advisory saying that there had been a “sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in Canada”. “Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant.”

On Thursday, a few media reports suggested that Canada had advised its citizens to avoid entering Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. The Print had quoted a travel advisory as saying, “Avoid all travel to areas within 10 km of the border with Pakistan in the following states due to the unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance.”

The Tribune had reported on this advisory saying it was “tit for tat”. India TV and the Economic Times had called Canada’s advisory “bizarre”.

A group of people reportedly conducted an online referendum for Khalistan recently in Canada. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had called it a “farcical exercise that was held by extremist and radical elements” and that the Canadian authorities were looking into the matter.