Canada 'temporarily adjusts staff presence' at high commission in India after 'threats to diplomats' on social media

The High Commission of Canada has decided to “temporarily” adjust staff presence in India out of an “abundance of caution” to ensure the safety of its diplomats as the tensions between the two countries hit rock bottom earlier this week following Justin Trudeau’s allegation of Indian link in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian High Commission also alleged that some of its diplomats have received threats on various social media platforms. “Our High Commission and all consulates in India are open and operational and continue to serve clients. In light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats. With some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India. As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India. In the context of respect for obligations under the Vienna conventions, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here,” the High Commission of Canada said on Thursday. As per reports, Canada has sought additional security around its missions, including the high commission in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru. Trudeau’s allegation of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing triggered a diplomatic row over this week and tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats. Nijjar was shot dead in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the town of Surrey in the province of British Columbia. He was the key figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province which blamed India for the assassination. With the situation turning bad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an advisory asking it citizens in Canada as well as Indian students to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and “politically-condoned hate crimes”. Indian students, in particular, have been advised to remain vigilant. On Thursday, BLS International, the company responsible for managing visa application centres in Canada, said Indian Minssion has suspended Indian visa services till further notice. “Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice,” read the notification on BLS website.