Due to Political Controversies, Indian Students Leaving Canada, Witnessing a Drop of 86% Enrollment

India-Canada Row: In the fourth quarter of the previous year, there was a decline of 86% in the study permits issued to Indians compared to the previous quarter, reducing from 108,940 to 14,910.

New Delhi: India-Canada Row: Every year, a significant group of Indian students goes to Canada for studies on student visas, but in recent months, a decline has been observed. A senior Canadian official confirmed to Reuters that there has been a rapid decline in the number of study permits issued to Indian students by Canada at the end of last year. This is attributed to the political controversy in Canada over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, leading to fewer Indian students applying. Additionally, India has deported Canadian officials involved in the permit process.

Immigration Minister Mark Miller stated in an interview that he believes the number of study permits for Indians is unlikely to increase soon. This comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement in June created diplomatic tension, suggesting the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Miller said, “Our relations with India have effectively halved our capacity to process many applications from India.” Last year in October, Canada was forced to expel 41 diplomats or two-thirds of its staff on the orders of New Delhi. Furthermore, a spokesperson for the minister stated that this dispute has inspired Indian students to explore educational opportunities in other countries.

Exploring other options, students

According to official figures, which were not reported earlier, the decline in the study permits issued to Indians in the fourth quarter of the last year was 86%, reducing from 108,940 to 14,910 due to factors that were not initially reported. C. Gurushantha Ubramanyam, the Counselor at the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, mentioned that some Indian international students were considering other options due to concerns about “recent shortages in residential and adequate educational facilities” in some Canadian institutions.

Earnings of 22 billion Canadian dollars

In recent years, Indians have formed the largest group of international students in Canada, with over 41% or 225,835 receiving all permits in 2022. Miller stated, “I can’t tell you how diplomatic relations will develop, especially if allegations have to be made against the police.” “It’s not as if I see a light at the end of the tunnel.” The reduced number of international students coming from India is a significant blow to institutions in the country.

Canada has claimed “credible” allegations of the involvement of Indian agents in the murder of Nijjar in Vancouver suburb. India has rejected the allegation. Canadian authorities have not yet made any accusations regarding the murder. As part of its response to the housing shortage, the Canadian government is seeking to reduce the total number of international students entering the country. Miller said, “We are facing the challenge of a large number of incoming students right now.” He said the government will explore other options, including possible limits on the number of international students during the first intake this year.

Favorite destination

Canada is a popular destination for international students because obtaining a work permit after completing the program is relatively easy. They said the government intends to address the issue of “a very generous” postgraduate work permit program and highlight “fly-by-night” universities named by designated educational institutions other than Canada. The government has been planning to impose a cap on the number of hours worked outside the campus for international students for some time.

In 2023, the government estimated that nearly 900,000 international students would study in Canada that year, which is almost three times higher than a decade ago. Miller said that 40%, or about 360,000, were Indian students. There was a 4% decline in the number of permits given to Indian students last year, but they remained the largest group.