Diplomatic Dispute Causes 86% Drop in Canadian Study Permits for Indian Students
The issuance of study permits for Indian students in Canada witnessed a substantial decline in the final quarter of the previous year, largely attributed to diplomatic strains between the two nations. Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that the expulsion of Canadian diplomats processing permits in India, coupled with reduced applications due to a diplomatic dispute over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, contributed to this sharp drop. The strained relations and the subsequent reduction in diplomatic staff have severely hampered Canada's ability to process applications from India.
In June of the preceding year, tensions escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. The repercussions of this accusation prompted India to order the withdrawal of 41 Canadian diplomats, amounting to two-thirds of the staff in October. This diplomatic fallout, coupled with concerns among Indian students about studying in Canada, led to an 86% decline in study permits issued to Indians in the fourth quarter of the same year. The figure plummeted from 108,940 to 14,910, according to official data that has not been previously disclosed.
International students, particularly from India, have been a significant source of revenue for Canadian universities, contributing approximately C$22 billion annually. The decline in study permits is anticipated to pose financial challenges for these institutions, which have come to rely on the revenue generated by international students.
C. Gurusubramanian, counselor for the High Commission of India in Ottawa, acknowledged that some Indian students were exploring alternative study destinations due to concerns about the quality of residential and teaching facilities at certain Canadian institutions. This shift in preference has added to the challenges faced by Canadian universities.
Despite being the largest group of international students in Canada in recent years, comprising over 41% of all permits in 2022, Indians have reconsidered their options due to the diplomatic fallout and associated uncertainties. Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed skepticism about a swift rebound in the number of study permits issued to Indian students. The ongoing diplomatic tensions, combined with potential charges related to the murder investigation, contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of normalcy in Canada-India relations.
International students are crucial for Canadian universities, with the education sector annually receiving billions in revenue. To address the current challenges, the Canadian government is contemplating measures to reduce the overall number of international students entering the country. This includes potential caps and other initiatives aimed at managing the sheer volume of students. The government is also planning to introduce measures to address concerns about the postgraduate work permit program and combat the proliferation of substandard institutions.
In conclusion, the diplomatic dispute between Canada and India has led to a significant decline in study permits for Indian students, impacting the revenue stream of Canadian universities. The ongoing tensions and uncertainty surrounding diplomatic relations suggest that the road to recovery may be prolonged, with potential ramifications for the international education landscape in Canada.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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