OTTAWA – Passengers traveling from Canada to India will now face additional security screening amid heightened tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa. Canada’s Transport Minister, Anita Anand, announced the new temporary protocols on the evening of November 18, stating that the measures were implemented “out of an abundance of caution.”
“Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures,” Anand said. She also noted that passengers “may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place.”
In light of the new measures, Air Canada has urged passengers traveling to India to arrive at airports at least four hours before their scheduled departure, warning of longer wait times at security checkpoints.
The enhanced security protocols are being enforced by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, the agency responsible for passenger and baggage screening at Canadian airports.
The decision comes a month after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it has evidence linking “agents” allegedly acting on behalf of the Indian government to organized crimes in Canada.