Canada Advises Its Citizens To 'Remain Vigilant' In India

The ongoing rift between India and Canada following the allegations made by the latter - over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar - doesn't seem to be ending any time soon.

In the latest development, the Canadian authorities have issued an advisory asking its citizens to "remain vigilant" in India.

"In the context of recent developments in Canada and in India, there are calls for protests and some negative sentiment towards Canada on social media. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution," the Canadian government said.

This comes after India issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students living in Canada last week, while stopping all categories of visas, including e-visas, for Canadian nationals.

India's advisory said that 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".

It also advised its nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

US says It's "deeply concerned"

Meanwhile, the US has reiterated that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the involvement of officials of Indian agencies in the murder case of Canada-based pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"We remain in close contact with our Canadian partners... We believe it¡¯s critical that Canada¡¯s investigation proceed and that the perpetrators be brought to justice," said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department.

"And we have publicly ¨C and privately ¨C urged the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation."

India is likely to cancel the registration of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders for carrying out pro-Khalistan and anti-India activities, media reports said, citing sources.

Tensions flared between India and Canada following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations that India was behind the killing of Nijjar -- a designated terrorist in India.

India rejected the allegations, calling them "absurd and motivated".

With inputs from IANS