As tensions escalate in the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, the University of Toronto has taken steps to reassure its student community, emphasizing its commitment to their wellbeing. The suspension of visa processing by India has raised concerns about the impact on international students.
Speaking to PTI, Professor Joseph Wong, Vice-President International at the University of Toronto, acknowledged that many members of the university community are closely monitoring the evolving relations between the governments of Canada and India. He noted the uncertainty and stress generated by the rapidly changing situation, highlighting that answers to pressing questions remain elusive.
Professor Wong expressed the university’s warm welcome to all impacted members of the community, especially international students, and reiterated the institution’s deep commitment to supporting their wellbeing. The University of Toronto is home to more than 2,400 international students from India.
Despite the suspension of visa processing, Professor Wong affirmed the university’s commitment to its longstanding partnerships in India, which facilitate academic collaborations across various fields and offer valuable global learning opportunities for students. While acknowledging that face-to-face connections may be hindered in the short term, he emphasized the university’s dedication to building and strengthening relationships through online interactions.
Furthermore, Professor Wong assured that the university would closely monitor the impacts of the developing diplomatic tension between India and Canada on its community.
In response to the diplomatic tensions, Canada has relocated the majority of its diplomats working in India to South Asian countries such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as the deadline for reducing diplomatic staff approaches. The Indian government had set an October 10 deadline for Canada to align the number of its diplomatic staff in India with the number of Indian diplomats in Canada.
India has strongly rejected the allegations made by Canada as “absurd” and “motivated.” In a reciprocal move, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, responding to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official connected to the case. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized his country’s desire to avoid escalating the situation with India and expressed Canada’s commitment to assisting Canadians in India.
Canada has not yet presented public evidence to substantiate its claims regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and has expressed its willingness to work constructively with India regarding these allegations.
