As tensions between India and Canada increase, Indian students are being reassured of their safety and resources at Canadian colleges. According to an investigation, Indian counselors claim that more than 1 lakh students were preparing for the English language proficiency test in order to study in Canada the following year. So, if you are also looking to book direct flights from Canada to India, check out more details on below given article, Canadian Universities Ensure Security for Indian Students Amid Diplomatic Strain.
TORONTO/AMRITSAR, India, Oct 5 – Indian students are being reassured of their safety and given support to deal with the uncertainty brought on by the diplomatic crisis between the two countries by Canadian institutions in an effort to lessen the impact on a growing business.
As Canadian schools prepare to begin the new semester, some students are thinking about delaying their classes, while others are assessing whether higher education would suffer as a result of the current circumstances.
Relations between India and Canada started to deteriorate after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that New Delhi might have had involvement in the shooting of a Sikh separatist supporter in British Columbia. India strongly denies the charge.
With over 40% of all study permits issued, India is by far the greatest source of international students in Canada’s rapidly expanding international education sector. The annual economic impact of international students in Canada is around $20 billion ($14.6 billion).
According to estimates made by consultants in India, over 100,000 students are reportedly preparing for the English language proficiency test and putting up money to study in Canada next year.
In reaction, top institutions are charging up to C$40,000 per year for courses, while colleges are connecting with students by offering shorter, less expensive courses to make sure the diplomatic row does not hurt one of Canada’s more well-known exports.
Over a dozen institutions and consultancies from Canada and India that spoke with Reuters said they were taking measures to reassure pupils.
According to Joseph Wong, vice president of the University of Toronto, which enrolled 86,297 students in 2022–23, over 2,400 of them were from India. “We’ve also contacted a number of Indian partners, some of which are foundations and educational institutions, to reassure them of our commitment to the continuation of our relationship” he added.
Safety First
Although Canadian institutions assert that the impasse might only last a short while, worries about upcoming semesters and students’ security in Canada persist.
Ashok Kumar Bhatia, President of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies, stated that many Indian students are worried about their safety in light of the rising international tensions.
Consultancies like IDP Education are distributing video messages to pacify individuals in response.
According to Conestoga College President John Tibbits, out of the thousands of new students that enroll each year, about 100 opted to delay their course and wanted to attend classes online.
“Our primary concern is the lack of predictability. Tibbits questioned, “What might the Indian government do in terms of visas and how would the people react?” “We are spending C$50 million a year for college on just support for students.”
Explosive Growth
One of Canada’s greatest sectors, overseas education has grown dramatically in recent years, outpacing exports of airplanes, wood, and auto parts. In recent weeks, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has described international students as “an asset that is very lucrative.”
Rhonda Lenton, president of York University, expressed optimism that the two countries would find a solution while she was in India at the time the news first broke.
However, families and prospective candidates in the state of Punjab in India are concerned. Nearly every fourth family in Punjab, which has a population of 30 million, has a member who is currently studying in Canada or getting ready to do so.
Last year, more than 5,000 students from Amritsar, Punjab, which is home to the Golden Temple, one of Sikhism’s holiest sites, immigrated to Canada.
Jiwan Sharma, a taxi driver, is debating whether or not his son should take the recently booked flight to Canada.
“I have put my lifelong savings worth over 250 million rupees ($3.00 million) for sending our son to Canada, hoping he would settle there, and help us in old age.”
There are no signs that the pressure is lessening. Melanie Joly, the foreign minister of Canada, said on Tuesday that Canada intended to have private negotiations with India to resolve the diplomatic dispute after a report suggested that New Delhi had requested Ottawa to return 41 diplomats. Visit Flyopedia.com for flight offers from USA to India.
a business student in Amritsar named Gurbakhshish Singh expressed his disappointment with the decline in India’s relations with a friendly nation like Canada.
Bottom Line
Canadian institutions have done a great job of ensuring the security and welfare of Indian students amid global difficulties. Their dedication to fostering a secure and inviting environment for international students exemplifies Canada’s dedication to supporting cross-border educational partnerships. Additionally, Travelers looking to book flight tickets from Calgary to Delhi should consider using reliable online travel agencies like Flyopedia and stay up to date on the most recent news in order to address any potential problems with securing their travel plans.
