Canada’s South Asian community is feeling increasingly uneasy as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following deadly missile strikes. The conflict, sparked by a series of missile attacks reportedly launched by India into Pakistani-administered areas, has claimed 31 lives and raised alarm among diaspora communities thousands of kilometres away.
In response, the Hindu Canadian Foundation has issued a public statement urging its members to stay vigilant, warning of “heightened risks” amid rising tensions in South Asia. The organization released safety guidelines encouraging Hindu Canadians to be aware of Canadian laws surrounding ethnic and religious discrimination and to refrain from engaging with provocative rhetoric, especially content circulated by extremist groups. The statement emphasizes community cohesion, calling for strengthened bonds and informed action.
Amid growing concern, members of Canada’s Pakistani community are also calling for calm. Regina resident Muhammad Kashif Naseer described the current atmosphere as “sombre,” noting that many members of the South Asian diaspora have close family ties to the conflict region. Naseer stressed that while Canada’s South Asian community is close-knit, there is unease that political emotions from overseas could spill into interactions at home. “Obviously, nobody wants this to escalate,” he said, adding that leaders from all backgrounds must work together to prevent tension from seeping into Canadian society.
The federal government has yet to issue a direct statement on the missile attacks, but Global Affairs Canada updated its travel advisory on Wednesday, urging Canadians in the region to remain vigilant and be prepared to shelter in place. “Tensions could increase and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” the advisory stated.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have been mounting since April 22, when gunmen killed 26 people—mostly Indian Hindu tourists—in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian authorities blamed the attack on Pakistan-backed militants, a charge Islamabad firmly denies. New Delhi has described the missile strikes as a measured retaliation to the “terrorist massacre.”
Canada’s diplomatic reaction to the April attack came in the form of a carefully worded statement from its high commission in New Delhi, expressing condolences but avoiding naming India specifically. The statement drew criticism from some Indian nationalists. “This senseless and horrific act can never be justified,” the April 23 message read.
While the Hindu Canadian Foundation did not provide further comment beyond its published statement, it reaffirmed its mission to foster a safe, inclusive environment for Hindu Canadians, while working with other communities to stand against extremism. The group praised the contributions of Hindu Canadians to the country’s social, economic, and cultural life and urged the community to remain proactive and united during this challenging period.
Naseer echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of rising above international disputes. “To be a Canadian is to get out of these things,” he said. “There shouldn’t be any unrest in between the communities. I hope we can all show a little Canadian restraint.”