Amid standoff with Delhi, Canada implements extra security screening for fliers travelling to India

Canada's Transport Minister Anita Anand announced the decision late on Monday evening terming it as a part of new temporary protocols that is being implemented "out of an abundance of caution."

"Transport Canada has implemented temporary additional security screening measures," for travellers to India, Anand was quoted as saying by Canadian broadcaster CBC.

Passengers "may experience some screening delays while these measures are in place," she said.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), which is responsible for screening passengers and their baggage before entering the restricted areas of Canadian airports, will implement the new rules.

Given the new protocols, Air Canada has warned fliers bound for Indian destinations of longer security wait times and asked them to reach airports at least four hours prior to their flight times.

"Due to heightened security mandates by Transport Canada for all passengers travelling to India, security wait times are expected to be longer than anticipated for your upcoming flight," Hindustan Times reported citing a notification sent by Air Canada to fliers.

"To minimise any disruption to your travel plans, we recommend you arrive 4 hours prior to your flight's departure. We appreciate your patience and understanding," the notification added.

India-Canada standoff over Khalistani row

The ongoing standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa was triggered after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian officials of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCPM) also claimed to have evidence of involvement of "agents", acting on behalf of the Indian government, involved in 'organised' crimes in Canada including extortion, intimidation, coercion and harassment.

India had expelled six Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave the country last month after Ottawa said it was investigating the Indian ambassador and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in connection with the killing of a Sikh separatist leader last year.

In a tit-for-tat move, Canada too asked six Indian diplomats to leave the country alleging that its police reportedly got hold of evidence that they claimed to be a part of an Indian government "campaign of violence".

The Indian government had also decided to withdraw its High Commissioner in Canada after Ottawa's accusations which the Modi government called an act of "vote bank politics".