Canada Boosts Screening For Flyers To India, Says Beware Of Terror Attacks In Fresh Alert

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 12:00 IST

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority will carry out the additional screening measures for Indian flyers

Canadian government said passengers may experience some screening delays. (Reuters)

Canada has enhanced its security screening for passengers travelling to India, citing “an abundance of caution". The fresh move comes amid the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand told Canadian Broadcaster CBC, “Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures for travellers to India out of an abundance of caution," Anand said. She added passengers “may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place."

A government official informed CBC News that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the agency in charge of screening passengers and their luggage before they enter restricted areas of airports in Canada, will carry out the additional measures.

CATSA’s screenings include hand swabs to detect traces on individuals when necessary, sending carry-on bags through X-ray machines, and conducting physical screenings of passengers.

However, Anand’s office statement did not link to any specific incidents.

‘Exercise Caution Due To Terror Attacks’: Canada Issues Alert

Meanwhile, the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens seeking to travel to India, mentioning the Zika virus scare and terror attacks.

“Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country," the alert read.

“Exercise a high degree of caution in and around Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Consular services in-person are temporarily unavailable in those cities or surrounding areas. If you need consular services, contact the High Commission of Canada in India, located in New Delhi. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa," the alert further read.

The North American nation also urged its people not to travel to northeast India, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan borders.

Relations between India and Canada have been deteriorating over last year’s assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, for which Ottawa alleged Indian involvement. India has rejected the allegations, calling them “preposterous", and accused Trudeau of harbouring Khalistanis who are not only plotting against India but also attacking Hindus on Canadian soil.

Of late, there has been an increase in incidents involving attacks on Hindu devotees in Canada’s temples, prompting a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has condemned the “deliberate attack".

Indian intelligence and government agencies, meanwhile, are of the view that Trudeau is backing Khalistani groups to ensure MP Jagmeet Singh’s support in next year’s election, giving the Liberal Party’s rapid decline in popularity as polls show it would lose badly to the opposition Conservative Party.

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