“The update made on September 27 was related only to the ‘health’ section and more specifically to the ‘Covid-19 and international travel’ and ‘monkeypox: advice for travellers’ sub-sections.”
— Canadian High Commission spokesperson
The Canadian High Commission clarified that no new advisory has been issued – this was suggested by sections of the Indian media that what Canada had done was a ‘tit for tat’ response – in response to India’s advisory on rising hate crimes and “anti-India activities” in that country. It said a recent revision was only related to monkeypox and Covid.
A spokesperson from the Canadian High Commission reportedly said that no new updates under the “risk levels” and “safety and security” sections were made to its travel advisory for citizens travelling to India. The information has been “in place for a long period of time”, the spokesperson said. “The update made on September 27 was related only to the ‘health’ section and more specifically to the ‘Covid-19 and international travel’ and ‘monkeypox: advice for travellers’ sub-sections.”
Later in the week, media reports suggested that Canada had advised its citizens to avoid entering Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan
On September 23, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had said in an advisory that there had been a “sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in Canada”. “Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant.”
Later in the week, media reports suggested that Canada had advised its citizens to avoid entering Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan: “Avoid all travel to areas within 10 km of the border with Pakistan in the following states due to the unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance.”
In fact, The Tribune had reported saying that the advisory was a “tit for tat”. India TV and the Economic Times had called Canada’s advisory “bizarre”.
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