The current diplomatic tensions between canada and India, exacerbated by baseless allegations from Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau linking indian agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have led to significant consequences. In response to the strained relations, the indian government proposed a reduction in the number of its ambassadors in Delhi, prompting canada to withdraw 41 diplomats.
In a recent interview, Canada's Immigration Minist Mark Miller disclosed that the processing of study permits, particularly for indian students, has been significantly affected, and there are no indications of improvement in the near future. Consequently, the Canadian government has witnessed a substantial decrease in the number of study permits granted to indian students.
In the quarter ending december of the previous year, only 14,910 study permits were issued, marking an 86 percent decrease from the 1,08,940 permits issued in the preceding three-month period. It's worth noting that a large portion of foreign students in canada are of indian origin. In 2022, canada issued a total of 2,25,835 study permits, with 41 percent of them belonging to indian students.
The reduction in study permits is a consequence of the strained diplomatic relations, and it adds to the challenges faced by indian students aspiring to study in Canada. Additionally, minister Mark Miller acknowledged that the surge in immigration of foreign students, including Indians, has contributed to problems such as unemployment and a shortage of housing in Canada.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel