An intensifying diplomatic dispute surrounding the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver has left Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), particularly those from Punjab, in Canada deeply concerned. Punjab-origin individuals constitute approximately 70% of the Indian-origin population in Canada.
On Thursday, India made the decision to “suspend visa services until further notice” in Canada, citing “operational reasons.” This move follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations regarding the “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, allegations that India vehemently rejected as absurd.
Impacts of the ongoing tensions
According to a report by The Indian Express, a significant number of PIOs in Canada are Canadian citizens and do not possess the Overseas Indian Citizen (OCI) card. Despite this, they visit India annually to meet family members, elderly parents, or attend social gatherings, and some even operate businesses in India.
For example, Sonu Arora, based in Toronto and the owner of a fuel pump station, expressed his apprehensions regarding his parents’ planned trip to India in November to resolve property matters in Jalandhar. Arora is now uncertain whether his parents will obtain the necessary permission to travel. The report stated that the Arora family has resided in Canada for two decades and holds Canadian citizenship without OCI status.
Education sector takes a hit
The report from IE further quoted Tirath Singh, an educational expert in Jalandhar, who sends numerous students to Canada each year. Singh voiced concerns about the potential impact of the visa suspension on the education industry. He pointed out that representatives from Canadian colleges regularly visit India to help students make informed decisions about their education in Canada. Singh warned that If the visa suspension continues, it could severely affect the educational sector.
Population dynamics in Canada
As of the 2021 census, Canada’s population stood at approximately 37 million, with nearly 1.4 million individuals of Indian ethnic or cultural origin, constituting about 3.7% of the country’s total population. Among the 1.4 million Indian-origin individuals, over 770,000 identify as Sikh, making up approximately 2% of Canada’s population. Additionally, Canada is home to thousands of non-Sikh Punjabi residents, including many citizens without OCI cards.
The ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two nations have raised concerns among the PIO community, especially those who regularly travel to India for various personal and business reasons. As this dispute unfolds, it underscores the significance of finding a diplomatic resolution that addresses the needs and concerns of this sizable and diverse community in Canada.