AMRITSAR, India (Diya TV) — With escalating tensions between India and Canada, many Punjabis have expressed heightened anxiety that the current diplomatic row is in danger of jeopardizing aspirations to work and study in Canada. Situations like these create uncertainty for people and families dependent on opportunities abroad for education and employment.
Relations between the two countries have soured in recent weeks, especially after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Indian establishment has issued sharp rebuttals over these accusations. The tensions have made the Punjabis anxious as they consider Canada a prime destination for higher education and job opportunities.
Many students who had planned to follow studies in Canada are worried about potential complications on visas. “I had all arrangements for next semester when I would go for studies to Canada, but now I am not sure whether I would ever go,” said Amandeep Singh, a student from Amritsar. “The uncertainty makes it tough to focus on the future.”.
The same goes for professionals who already have job offers in Canada. “I was so excited about my new job in Toronto, but with the diplomatic issues, I am worried that my visa application could be delayed or even rejected,” said Harpreet Kaur, a software engineer. She added that the scenario has made people alter their plans altogether as both the governments might take stringent actions against them.
The diplomatic spat has ignited a controversy among community leaders and organizations within Punjab regarding the ramifications it may have on Punjabis outside India. Most of the local leaders have urged the government of India to be in touch with its people and have efforts to reach an amicable solution. “We must not let political misunderstanding run away with our youth’s futures,” said Bhupinder Singh, activist for the community. “Our young persons and professionals must have the potential to carry forward their goals without fear.”
As the situation unfolds, the Canadian government has comforted prospective students and workers that it remains committed to supporting international education and skilled migration. However, that fear and uncertainty remain palpable among the Punjabis who have deep ties with Canada, considering the large Punjabi diaspora in the country.
According to experts, diplomatic interaction between India and Canada is the need of the hour so that students and professionals feel motivated once again. “Both the governments must focus on dialogue so that people are able to carry out their dreams without being in the midst of crosshairs in the wake of political wrangling,” said political analyst Dr. Ranjit Singh.
With so much at stake for many aspiring students and professionals, the quest for a solution has never been more urgent. Even as members of the community await a clearer sense of the situation, hopes prevail for an early return to business as usual for relations between India and Canada.
