Another U-turn from Trudeau! Canada withdraws decision on additional testing of passengers coming to India

India-Canada Relations: Canada has withdrawn the decision for additional testing of passengers going to India. According to CBC News, the office of Canada’s Transport Minister Anita Anand gave this information yesterday (November 21, 2024) and said that they have lifted the restrictions. These new rules were implemented only last week.

Canada’s Transport Minister Anita Anand had said last Monday that utmost caution is being taken for passengers going from Canada to India. A notice was also sent by Air Canada to passengers traveling to India, stating that due to strict safety orders for all passengers traveling to India, the waiting time for their upcoming flights is expected to be longer than expected.

Said to check passengers and their luggage

However, the Canadian government did not clarify the reasons for removing the new protocol. Among the measures taken by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), it was said that passengers and their luggage will be screened at airports before entering restricted areas.

Long queues formed due to investigation

According to reports, flights to India were delayed due to additional checks and long queues formed at airports. The announcement to expand the investigation was made when a bomb threat was received on an Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago in October. The flight was diverted to Iqaluit, Canada. However, after investigation no explosives were found here.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had given bomb threat in the flight

Among the threats received on flights, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had also issued a public threat against Air India flights from November 1 to 19. Pannu, who holds dual citizenship of Canada and America, has given similar threats in the past also.

When did relations between the two countries deteriorate?

There has been a diplomatic standoff between Canada and India after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government was involved in the murder of Nijjar on Canadian soil. India consistently denied these claims and called them absurd. Relations deteriorated further when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accused Indian agents of engaging in criminal activities in Canada, including murder and intimidation. Both countries have since expelled top envoys and halted cooperation on several fronts.

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