Canada tightens airport screening for travellers to India amid tensions: Report

Citing an "abundance of caution", the Canadian government has implemented additional security screening measures for passengers travelling from Canada to India.

In Short

• Security screening enhanced for India-bound flights at Canada airports
• Canada Minister cites 'abundance of caution' for additional measures
• Decision follows bomb threat, diplomatic fallout between India and Canada

Travellers flying from Canada to India will now face heightened security screening measures. Canadian Transport Minister Anita Anand announced the move, citing “an abundance of caution” as the reason for the new protocols, reported CBC News.

Canada’s decision to enhance security screening for India-bound flyers comes as both nations are embroiled in a bitter diplomatic standoff.

According to reports, Air Canada notified passengers heading to India about the new security protocols over the weekend. An Air Canada spokesperson confirmed the development to Aviation Source News, stating that Transport Canada has introduced additional requirements for those travelling by air to India.

The new measures are already in place, with passengers flying from Toronto reporting noticeable changes in screening procedures. Toronto Pearson International Airport acknowledged the situation in a social media post, warning international passengers of extended wait times during pre-boarding checks.

Air Canada also urged passengers to arrive at airports at least four hours prior to departure due to longer security wait times.

The announcement of additional security measures follows a bomb threat in October on board an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago. The plane was diverted to Iqaluit in Canada; however, no explosive device was found after an inspection.

Adding to the concerns, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist and founder of Sikhs for Justice, recently issued a threat against flying Air India from November 1-19. His warning coincided with what he termed the “40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide” in India. Pannun, who holds Canadian and US citizenship, has made similar threats in the past.

Despite the tighter security measures, Transport Minister Anita Anand’s office did not attribute them to any specific incident or individual.

Tensions between India and Canada have been simmering since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” of the Indian government’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India denied these claims as “absurd” and “motivated”, accusing Canada of harbouring pro-Khalistan extremist groups.

Ties nosedived further last month when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian government agents of involvement in criminal activities on Canadian soil, including murder, extortion, and intimidation. As the diplomatic rift deepened, both sides expelled top envoys in response.