Although Canadian universities and their Indian agents assured that the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada were temporary and that business was as usual in Canada, but a section of Indian students aspiring to study abroad has been swayed by the escalating dispute.

The diplomatic discord between the two nations has raised concerns among Indian students, particularly those who have applied for student visas.

While some applicants have successfully obtained their visas, others are feeling apprehensive as Canadian universities have advised them to wait for the next admission schedule.

Although, there have been no reports of delays in the issuance of student visas, which typically takes about a month.

However, India's decision to halt visa processing has introduced an element of uncertainty.

There are concerns that student visa processing might experience delays in the future.

Some Canadian universities, echoing these concerns, are recommending that students consider deferring their enrollment to the next available intake as a precautionary measure. Normally, there are three intakes per year, including the January/Winter intake, May/Summer intake, and September/Fall intake.

In light of concerns about delayed student visas and potential caps on Indian student numbers in Canada, Indian students are now exploring alternative study destinations, such as Australia, the UK, and the US.

"I don't want to go to Canada. I have no intention to settle there now as those who are already there are facing difficulties in getting work. I want to go to the US for studies," says Bhanu Pratap, a resident of Derabassi, Mohali.

Lakshmi Sharma, a student from Ludhiana, also expressed apprehensions about choosing Canada, as reported by IndiaToday.

"I am thinking about moving to Australia, but my dream is to go to London. I don't want to go to Canada as there is no difference between Punjab and Canada. The India-Canada diplomatic tensions have impacted the minds of Indian students. Some want to go to the UK...Canada plans are being cancelled," said Lakshmi Sharma.