As tensions escalate between India and Canada, Indian students pursuing higher education in Canada are facing an uncertain future amid the diplomatic crisis.
Advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, President of the India-Wide Parents' Association, has written to India's Minister of Education, the Prime Minister's office, and the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC). In her letter, dated October 14, Sahai urged the government to make arrangements for students who may no longer feel safe in Canada due to the rising political tensions.
Sahai emphasized the importance of supporting students who could be subjected to discrimination, causing emotional distress. "There must be provisions arranged for students who may not feel safe there anymore. They can be subjected to discrimination creating emotional distress," she stated, advocating for the recall of Indian students studying in Canada and urging the government to facilitate their admission to Indian universities. She highlighted that returning students could suffer significant academic and financial losses, calling for immediate action to prevent disruptions in their education.
The backdrop to this urgent plea includes the diplomatic fallout following the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. On October 14, India withdrew its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with other senior diplomats from Canada, a move that was quickly followed by the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, further deepening the crisis between the two nations. This diplomatic failure has led to rising anxieties among parents and students regarding the potential impact on their academic and professional futures.
Compounding these concerns is Canada’s plan to reduce its international student study permit cap by 10% in 2025, a move that would affect many Indian students enrolled in Canadian institutions. The new target will be 437,000 permits, down from 485,000 in 2024, as the Canadian government seeks to address issues related to system abuse and foreign worker regulations.
Sahai's letter also noted that under the flexible rules of the National Education Policy (NEP), students could join Indian universities mid-term without significant challenges. "In my opinion, there must not be any difficulty for students to continue their academic year," she asserted, urging the government to take swift action to safeguard the educational prospects of Indian students caught in this geopolitical struggle.