India Issues Warning for Students in Canada Following Tragic Deaths
On Saturday, India released a new advisory urging its citizens, especially students, to exercise ‘extreme caution’ in Canada. This call for heightened awareness comes after the sorrowful deaths of three Indian students in separate incidents over the past two weeks. In response, New Delhi has demanded a comprehensive investigation into these events, which have also been brought to the attention of Canadian authorities.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, expressed concerns about the worsening safety situation in Canada, attributing this to a rise in hate crimes and acts of violence. "We advise our nationals to remain vigilant, particularly given the current security environment," he said.
Describing the recent events as “terrible tragedies,” Jaiswal reiterated the need for a thorough inquiry by Canadian officials. The Indian High Commission located in Ottawa, along with consulates in other cities, are actively coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.
In his media briefing, Jaiswal conveyed the deep sorrow felt over the deaths of the Indian students. "We are saddened by these tragic events that have impacted our nationals in Canada," he mentioned. He also extended heartfelt condolences to the families who are mourning their losses, assuring them that the High Commission and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are providing all possible assistance.
As per recent reports, there are over 400,000 Indian students currently pursuing their education in Canada. Unfortunately, three students have lost their lives in just the first week of December. This includes incidents that have raised concerns, with one death being classified as ‘non-suspicious.’
On December 1, 22-year-old Gurasis Singh, a postgraduate student from Ludhiana, Punjab, was tragically stabbed by his roommate in their Ontario home, having only arrived in Canada four months prior. Days later, another 22-year-old student, Rittika Rajput from Punjab, died in a freak accident when a tree fell on her while she was attending a late-night gathering in British Columbia.
Additionally, on December 6, a separate incident occurred in Edmonton where 20-year-old Harshandeep Singh, who was working as a security guard while studying, was shot and killed by a gang.
This advisory comes at a time when relations between India and Canada are already strained. Relations took a downturn in October when Canada accused an Indian diplomat of being involved in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has vehemently denied these allegations, adding further tension to the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
(Report includes inputs from various agencies)
