The issuance of study permits to Indian students in Canada witnessed a significant decline in the latter part of the previous year, primarily attributed to diplomatic strains between the two nations. According to a top Canadian official, the reduction in permits was a consequence of India expelling Canadian diplomats responsible for processing these permits. Additionally, fewer Indian students applied for study permits due to an ongoing diplomatic dispute related to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

In an interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed skepticism about a quick rebound in the number of study permits granted to Indian students. The diplomatic tensions escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated Indian agents in connection with Nijjar's murder in British Columbia, causing strained relations between the two countries.

Miller highlighted the substantial impact of the diplomatic discord on Canada's ability to process applications from India, stating, "Our relationship with India has really halved our ability to process a lot of applications from India." This strain reached a point where Canada had to recall 41 diplomats, comprising two-thirds of its staff, from India in October, as directed by New Delhi. Furthermore, the dispute led many Indian students to explore educational opportunities in other countries, exacerbating the decline in study permit applications.

Official data, not previously reported, revealed that the issuance of study permits to Indian students in the fourth quarter of the previous year plummeted by 86% compared to the preceding quarter. The number dropped from 108,940 to 14,910, underscoring the substantial impact of the diplomatic tensions on educational migration between the two nations. The ongoing discord is anticipated to continue influencing these numbers in the foreseeable future, according to Miller, as the repercussions of strained diplomatic relations persist.

The issuance of study permits to Indian students in Canada witnessed a significant decline in the latter part of the previous year, primarily attributed to diplomatic strains between the two nations. According to a top Canadian official, the reduction in permits was a consequence of India expelling Canadian diplomats responsible for processing these permits. Additionally, fewer Indian students applied for study permits due to an ongoing diplomatic dispute related to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

In an interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed skepticism about a quick rebound in the number of study permits granted to Indian students. The diplomatic tensions escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated Indian agents in connection with Nijjar's murder in British Columbia, causing strained relations between the two countries.

Miller highlighted the substantial impact of the diplomatic discord on Canada's ability to process applications from India, stating, "Our relationship with India has really halved our ability to process a lot of applications from India." This strain reached a point where Canada had to recall 41 diplomats, comprising two-thirds of its staff, from India in October, as directed by New Delhi. Furthermore, the dispute led many Indian students to explore educational opportunities in other countries, exacerbating the decline in study permit applications.

Official data, not previously reported, revealed that the issuance of study permits to Indian students in the fourth quarter of the previous year plummeted by 86% compared to the preceding quarter. The number dropped from 108,940 to 14,910, underscoring the substantial impact of the diplomatic tensions on educational migration between the two nations. The ongoing discord is anticipated to continue influencing these numbers in the foreseeable future, according to Miller, as the repercussions of strained diplomatic relations persist.