00:00 New Delhi laid down a warning on Wednesday to Indian nationals in Canada,
00:06 and in particular, hundreds of thousands of students,
00:09 exercise utmost caution.
00:12 The advisory marks another sign of unravelling ties between the two countries
00:17 in an escalating dispute over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.
00:21 Ottawa insists Canada is safe.
00:24 The travel advisory follows an earlier tit-for-tat expelling of diplomats.
00:30 A Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.
00:34 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada is investigating
00:38 "credible allegations" that Indian government agents
00:41 were involved in the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijer.
00:44 India categorically rejects the assertions.
00:48 It labelled Nijer a terrorist years ago.
00:52 On Wednesday, India's main opposition Congress party endorsed the government's position.
00:57 "We're seeing a tit-for-tat on both sides."
00:58 Its leader Shashi Taroor says Canada's going public
01:01 has put the country's relationship in jeopardy.
01:04 "I think it's unfortunate that Canada chose such a public route.
01:06 Going public, making a statement in Parliament and so on was very unfortunate."
01:10 Meanwhile, in Punjab's holy city of Amritsar,
01:15 some Sikhs called for clarity on the issue and calm.
01:21 "For a solution, they need to sit and talk.
01:24 Basically, that's the only way," said this retired businessman.
01:27 Protests unfolded among Sikhs in neighbouring Pakistan,
01:33 with protesters calling for India to be held to account.
01:37 The White House says it's "deeply concerned" about the allegations
01:43 and is encouraging India to cooperate in any investigation.
01:47 There's not much support left for the insurgency in India.
01:51 But small groups of Sikhs in Australia, Britain, Canada and the US
01:55 still support the separatist demand.
01:57 New Delhi has long urged Canada to act against it.
02:02 As for the killing, Canadian officials have not elaborated
02:06 on why they think India is involved.
02:09 [END]
