The India-Canada Standoff

The Nijjar Incident

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently said that their security agencies were investigating allegations of a possible connection between the death of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Khalistani separatist, and the government of India. Nijjar was fatally shot in his vehicle three months ago near a Sikh temple in a Vancouver suburb.

The Diplomatic Standoff

Both sides have engaged in a series of retaliatory actions following Trudeau's initial statement. India responded by accusing Canada of shifting its focus away from Khalistani separatist "terrorists" in the country and issued a caution to its citizens in Canada, including the thousands of students studying at Canadian institutions. India has halted the issuance of visas for Canadian nationals. Of course, engaging in such diplomatic stand-offs is nothing new for the current Canadian PM, who has had similar engagements with Saudi Arabia and China. Yet, the sudden and intense nature of this diplomatic dispute has caught many by surprise.

Resulting Student & Parental Anxiety

The ongoing situation between Canada and India is undoubtedly causing apprehension among individuals awaiting their visas for temporary and permanent residency in Canada. In our office, we have been receiving numerous inquiries from Indian parents who are worried about the well-being and safety of their children pursuing education in Canada. While we are providing them with reassurance that the situation will eventually stabilize, it is clear that the resolution of any anxieties and tensions largely depends on the political leadership of both nations. As an Independent Education Consultant and the mother of a fourth-year student at UBC Vancouver, I have been on the front lines of this issue.

Canada: One of India's Top Study Abroad Destination

Canada has emerged as a popular destination for international students over the last few years, with over 300,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Canadian universities and colleges. We make 40% of the pie. At the end of 2022, Canada saw 43% growth over the previous five years and nearly 170% over the last decade. There must be a reason for such a massive upward trend. Why Canada for Indian students? The presence of a huge Indian diaspora, quality and affordability of higher education, Co-op and work opportunities, three years of post-graduate work permit (PGWP), availability of merit scholarships, prevalent community college system, and above all, the possibility of permanent residency through Express Entry & Provincial Nominee programs.

The Latest Updates (as of September 30, 2023)

For the international student community, some of the latest updates on the situation are:

1. India has suspended visa services to Canadians till further notice. It does not impact the Indian students applying for study permits to the Canadian High Commission.
2. Canada has not suspended visa services to Indian students. The visas are being approved as earlier, even for January and May intake. Fall 2024 intake timelines are further away. Besides, the students already in Canada applying for study permit extensions, PGWP, and PR are getting approvals as earlier.
3. The Consulate General of India in Toronto has expanded its consular services for Indian citizens in Canada. These extended services encompass passport issuance, attestation, police clearance certificate issuance, and passport renewal.
4. Most Canadian universities have issued statements for continued support and solidarity with Indian students amidst the diplomatic row.
5. Several students residing in Canada have confirmed the situation on the ground is calm and peaceful. It is business as usual for the residents. There have been a few reports on the protests and rallies organized by various groups without causing any harm to the local public. There is no threat to peace and harmony, yet India has advised its citizens in Canada to remain cautious and take extra precautions about their safety. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised all Indian students in Canada to register on the link on the MEA consulate website - https://tinyurl.com/2kwbdur5

A note to the worried parents and students

1. Though Canadian authorities are approving the study visas on a continuous basis, there may be some delays for the upcoming January and May intakes, and it will be prudent to defer the enrolments to the Fall (Sept) intake.
2. Visitor visa processing may see longer processing times than usual for the next few months. The parents may have to wait a little longer to visit their children in Canada.
3. Do not yet strike off the Canadian universities from your list. However, consider adding a few universities from alternate destinations to keep up the momentum in this application season.
4. Students in Canada must constantly monitor the situation and avoid any disputes or protests. Stay safe and alert as a cautionary measure.

India: The Upper Hand

India recognizes that it possesses a considerable advantage and has the potential to disrupt the current situation, inflicting significant damage on Canada. If India-Canada relations worsen further and India decides to limit its students from going to Canada, it could result in a serious crisis for the Canadian higher education system (the gig economy, housing, and low-cost labor), except for the well-funded public universities. Since international students contribute $30 billion annually to Canada's economy, such a measure might also have far-reaching consequences on various sectors. The pressing question on everyone's minds is whether this will impact the movement of students from India to Canada and whether New Delhi will instead redirect its focus towards other destinations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Staying Hopeful

The question, hence, arises that with so many factors contributing to the growth of Canada as a study and immigration destination and, therefore, its economy, Can Canada endanger its ties with India? Can India, with millions of Indian students and non-immigrants in the foreign territory, put a steady, friendly relationship with Canada at stake? Let's think for a moment. It's not the first time an adverse geopolitical situation has disrupted the diplomatic normalcy. These situations arise and are resolved quickly. In the past, these have not impacted the mobility of students and should not be the case now. Let's continue to hope that the situation is temporary and that there will be positive political developments very soon. Till that time, it is, however, important to constantly monitor the status.