New Delhi: In its latest travel advisory for people travelling to India, Canada has advised its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution while visiting some states, including Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The advisory noted travellers need to be cautious while travelling to states bordering with Pakistan due to the "presence of landmines" and "unpredictable security situation."
"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: Gujarat, Punjab Rajasthan," noted the Canadian advisory, according to the news agency ANI.
The travel advisory was issued by the Canadian government on its website in its last update on September 27. However, the advisory excluded any information related to travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The advisory comes in the wake of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) alerting Indian nationals to exercise “due caution and remain vigilant in view of the sharp increase in incidents of hate crime, sectarian violence, and anti-India activities’’ in Canada.
The advisory also urged people to avoid non-essential travel to Assam and Manipur "due to the risk of terrorism and insurgency."
It is to be noted that India on September 23 issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada to remain vigilant amid increasing incidents of crimes and anti-India activities in the country.
In a statement, the MEA said Indian missions in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to probe these crimes.
"There has been a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in Canada. The Ministry of External Affairs and our High Commission/Consulates General in Canada have taken up these incidents with the Canadian authorities and requested them to investigate the said crimes and take appropriate action," the MEA said in a statement.
The statement also mentioned that "the perpetrators of these crimes have not been brought to justice so far in Canada."
"In view of the increasing incidences of crimes as described above, 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," the statement added.
The advisory also said Indian nationals and students from India in Canada may also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in.
"Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any requirement or emergency," the advisory said.