The impact of India-Canada tension is being seen on the relations between the two countries. A top Canadian official has informed that there has been a huge decline in permits issued to Indian students.
In an interview given to news agency Reuters, a top Canadian official said that this has happened for two reasons. The first reason is India expelling Canadian diplomats who process permits and the second reason is that fewer Indian students had applied. In fact, there is a tense situation between the two countries regarding the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada had accused India of killing Nijjar, after which relations between the two countries deteriorated.
Considering the kind of relations between the two countries at present, there is no expectation of increase in the number of students. Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller has also expressed apprehension regarding this. He has said that the number of study permits for Indian students is not likely to increase any time soon.
Canada had accused India
Two months ago, on September 18, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in the House of Commons that agents of the Indian government were behind the murder of Nijjar. As soon as the PM made these allegations, Canada suspended the ongoing trade talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, expelled Indian diplomat Pawan Kumar Rai and asked India to help in the investigation in the Nijjar case.
However, India denied the allegations and retaliated by expelling 41 diplomats and halting visa services in Canada. Since then, PM Trudeau has increased his aggression by giving statements from time to time on India’s alleged role in Nijjar’s murder. Whereas, India has repeatedly said that it has not been given any credible evidence from Canada.