Canada-India tensions spark travel concerns among members of Indian diaspora
CTV
As tensions escalate between India and Canada, some in the Indian diaspora say they're concerned about how the situation might affect travel between the two countries.
As tensions escalate between India and Canada, some in the Indian diaspora say they're concerned about how the situation might affect travel between the two countries.
The federal government expelled six Indian diplomats on Monday after the RCMP said it had credible evidence that Indian agents played a role in violent crimes on Canadian soil, including extortion, coercion and murder of Canadian citizens.
India insists it has not been given evidence of any government involvement in crimes in Canada, and it has ordered six Canadian diplomats to leave.
Fazle Baki, president of the South Asian Centre of Windsor in southwestern Ontario, says many community members he's spoken to -- particularly families and students -- have expressed concern about their ability to travel between India and Canada if the conflict escalates to visa suspensions.
In September of last year, India temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens after Canada said there were "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
Baki says many members of his community feel on edge because of the tense diplomatic relationship and its latest developments, and they hope to have clarity soon on whether it could impact securing and processing visas.
"They're tense, they're concerned, they're frustrated with the lack of information and they're looking for guidance," he said.
