Canada warns citizens, issues travel advisory amid diplomatic row with India

Canada on Tuesday updated the travel advisory to India amid escalating tension between the two countries over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

Canadian citizens have earlier been warned against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, with special mention of Assam and violence-hit Manipur.

Explicitly mentioning Jammu and Kashmir, the advisory read, “The security situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is tense. There are high risks of violent protests, civil unrest and acts of terrorism and militancy.”

“Violent clashes between militants and security forces occur regularly. Terrorist attacks against security forces have led to civilian casualties. Further attacks could take place at any time. You could find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time,” it added.

Regarding the Northeast, it said, “Several extremist and insurgent groups are active in the north-eastern states of Assam and Manipur. They regularly target local government and security forces and may use various criminal activities to finance their activities. Ethnic tensions in the state can also lead to conflict and civil unrest.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was not looking to “provoke” India or “escalate” tensions, but urged New Delhi to take the killing of the Sikh separatist leader with the “utmost seriousness”.

Trudeau’s comments came barely hours after Canada and India expelled a senior diplomat each following allegations about the involvement of “agents of the Indian government” in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.