Canada Lifts Extra Security Measures For Indian Passengers Amid Tensions (image-pixabay)
Canada: The Canadian government has lifted the extra security measures imposed on travelers flying to India. The extra security screening came into effect earlier this week.
Canada’s transport minister, Anita Anand, announced the new temporary protocol on Monday evening, noting that the new measures were implemented “out of an abundance of caution.”
Read also: Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Trump’s Attorney General Nomination
Anand told Canadian broadcaster CBC, “Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures” for travelers to India. Owing to this, passengers “may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place.”
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) had been tasked with conducting enhanced screenings for passengers and their baggage before entering restricted airport areas.
Amid the changes, Air Canada has advised travelers heading to India to expect extended security queues and to arrive at the airport a minimum of four hours ahead of their flight departure. The notification sent by Air Canada read, “Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight.”
“To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive 4 hours prior to your flight’s departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding,” the notification added.
The new measures coincided with heightened diplomatic tension between Canada and India. Last month, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) linked agents of the Indian government to various crimes in Canada, including acts of murder, extortion, and intimidation. Following the issue, Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, and India responded by expelling six Canadian diplomats.
Read also: US Prosecutor Argues Google Must Sell Chrome To End Search Monopoly
However, despite the diplomatic strain, the Canadian government has now deemed the additional security screenings unnecessary and has reverted to standard procedures for travelers to India.
The diplomatic crisis began after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused “agents” of Delhi of being involved in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver in June last year.
