Drop in Study Permits for Indian Students in Canada After Political Controversy

Study Abroad: Indians make up the largest group of foreign students studying in Canada, but due to the political problems between the nations education seems to suffer.

OpEd Desk January 17, 2024

Study Abroad: Soon following a political debate, a large decline in the number of study licenses granted to Indian students in Canada is anticipated. The issue started in June when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made statements about the possible involvement of Indian government operatives in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

A government official has stated that there is little chance of a rapid increase in the quantity of study permits available to Indian students studying in Canada. A political conflict that resulted in the deportation of Canadian nationals associated with Indian government agents is blamed for the loss in permits, which in turn led to a decrease in the processing of Indian student applications.

The dispute started in June when Trudeau made statements based on proof connected to the Indian government agents’ killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

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Minister Mark Miller, Avrajjan, stated that “our relationship with India has significantly reduced our capacity to process many applications from India.” He went on to say that it is unclear how the two nations’ relations will develop, particularly in light of the murder-related accusations.

Miller went on, “We have a problem with a lot of new students coming in. It must be drastically decreased in the near future because it is out of control.”

India refuted Trudeau’s accusations, calling them “motivated” and “baseless.” Two-thirds of Canadian diplomatic personnel were called back by India in October, which led to an 86% decline in the number of study permits granted to Indians in the most recent fiscal quarter (from 108,940 to 14,910).

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In the first quarter of this year, the Canadian government intends to propose policies, such as a cap on the number of international students admitted. They also intend to investigate non-accredited universities and deal with postgraduate work permit difficulties.

The statements made by Trudeau have caused tensions between Canada and India, which has affected the study permits of Indian students. Indian students still make up the majority of international students studying in Canada, even though the number of permits they received fell by 4% last year.

With more than 41% of all licenses granted in 2022, Indians make up the largest group of foreign students studying in Canada. Given that they bring in an estimated $16.4 billion for the Canadian economy each year, international students are extremely important to Canadian colleges.