As tensions escalate between India and Canada, some in the Indian diaspora say they鈥檙e 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鈥檚 spoken to 鈥� particularly families and students 鈥� 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 鈥渃redible allegations鈥� 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.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e tense, they鈥檙e concerned, they鈥檙e frustrated with the lack of information and they鈥檙e looking for guidance,鈥� he said.
Rama Singh, a retired McMaster University professor and co-chair of Hamilton鈥檚 annual Gandhi Peace Festival, has what鈥檚 known as an OCI card, which allows unlimited entry to India for its overseas citizens.
But the Ancaster-Ont. resident says he鈥檚 still worried about his upcoming travel to India, and others who plan to visit the country in the coming weeks as Diwali and wedding season approach.
鈥淚鈥檓 concerned that I have bought tickets, and I would like to know soon which way things are moving,鈥� he said.
This week鈥檚 expulsion of Indian diplomats from Canada comes after more than a year of rising tensions between the two countries, which came to a head after Nijjar鈥檚 murder in June 2023.
What followed were several months of strained diplomatic relations, including Canada postponing a trade mission to India and both countries expelling top diplomats.
But amid the growing tensions, Singh says it鈥檚 important to remember how Indians have contributed to Canada鈥檚 social fabric, and the relationships created in local communities.
鈥淚 think India and Canada鈥檚 relations are solid and long term, and will remain,鈥� he said.
