'Terrible tragedies': India urges Canada to probe murder of 3 Indian students amid bilateral tension

The Indian government on Friday raised the issue of three Indians getting killed in Canada and urged authorities to probe their deaths.

During a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are saddened at these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada,” calling the incidents “unfortunate tragedies.”

Jaiswal said that the Indian Embassy in Canada is in touch with the families of the victims and has contacted local authorities to ensure thorough investigations into the deaths.

“We have also issued an advisory for our nationals and Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security environment in Canada due to the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence,” he said.

The incidents come at a time when ties between India and Canada are sour after Ottawa blamed New Delhi for killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Earlier this week, an Indian student, Gurasis Singh, was stabbed to death in Canada by his roommate.

Singh was studying business at Lambton College. The police arrested the man, Crossley Hunter, who was sharing a flat with Singh. In a statement, Sarnia Police said that Singh and Hunter lived in the same accommodation and “were involved in a physical altercation while in the kitchen” which eventually led to the latter stabbing Singh multiple times causing his death.

Earlier this week, another Indian student from Punjab, Rittika Rajput, was killed after a tree fell on her as she was out with friends.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the incident took place on December 7, 2024, at James Lake and has been classified as non-suspicious. However, authorities confirmed they are investigating Rajput’s death.