India warns its citizens of hate crimes

A day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic row, India advised its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and "politically-condoned hate crimes".

- Rezaul H Laskar

IN CANADA

Trudeau's claim of a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the murder of Nijjar in June has already been dismissed by India as "absurd and motivated". The allegation severely impacted bilateral ties that are already at an all-time low and both countries resorted to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

In an advisory aimed at Indian nationals and students in Canada as well as citizens planning to travel to the country, the external affairs ministry said there were threats against members of the Indian community who "oppose the anti-India agenda".

The advisory reflected the fraught state of the bilateral ties, which has deteriorated in recent years over Canada's perceived indifference to India's calls for action against pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution," the advisory said.