'Sense of panic in Punjab': Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal on India-Canada row

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that there is a “sense of panic” among people in Punjab amid simmering tensions between Canada and India. “A lot of Punjabis have settled down in Canada. There is a sense of panic in Punjab. So, governments of India and Canada should find a solution to this issue,” he said.

VIDEO | "A lot of Punjabis have settled down in Canada. There is a sense of panic in Punjab. So, governments of India and Canada should find a solution to this issue," says Shiromani Akali Dal president @officeofssbadal. pic.twitter.com/xFzMyPmR4W

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2023

Diplomatic relations between the two nations have taken a hit after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims that India has links with the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Meanwhile, India has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadian nationals as tensions between the two countries escalated following Justin Trudeau’s allegation of India’s link to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. “Operational reasons” have been cited for the suspension of visa services for Canadians “till further notice”. BLS International, a visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website, saying: “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates,” read a notification on the official website of ‘India Visa Application Center Canada’. Earlier in the day, Canadian MP Chandra Arya has asked Hindus in the country to stay vigilant after Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice’s (SFJ) legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened them to leave as soon as possible. “A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organizes the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu-Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India. I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant,” Arya said in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.