In light of the escalating hostilities between the two countries, India has temporarily banned issuing visas to Canadian citizens. A notice stating that Indian visa services have been “suspended until further notice” was posted on the website of a private organisation that was hired to conduct preliminary examinations of Canadian visa applications.
Although the suspension of visa services has not yet been formally announced, BLS International, which manages the Canadian visa application facilities, put a notice to that effect on its Canadian website. “Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], visa services have been suspended till further notice.”
It stated “operational reasons” for stopping the visa applications. According to a Reuters article, BLS International has pulled the notification regarding the suspension of visa services, however the ticker was still posted on their website at the time this report was published. According to Reuters, a spokesperson for foreign ministry did not react to inquiries regarding the situation.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Ind has never suspended visas before. When Canada declared that it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Ind government officials to the June murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, tensions between the two nations grew. This week. The Ind administration vehemently denied Canada’s allegations.
Indian Govt. warned the citizens-
This comes after the Canadian government rejected an Ind travel warning about security concerns in Canada, claiming that it is one of the safest countries in the world. The Canadian government also asked for calm amid the developing diplomatic spat between the two countries.
As the diplomatic dispute threatened to escalate into a major conflict, Ind on Wednesday issued a warning to all of its citizens who reside in Canada as well as those who were considering travelling there, advising them to proceed with “utmost caution” in light of the rising anti-Indian sentiment and “politically-condoned” hate crimes there. Indian students studying in Canada have been warned to be extremely cautious and watchful.
During a discussion in the Canadian Parliament, Trudeau asserted that “agents of the Indian government” were likely responsible for the murder of the Canadian citizen who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs denied the accusations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, calling them ludicrous.
Due to the pro-Khalistani groups’ increased activity in the North American nation, India-Canada relations have been under considerable strain for the past few months. India thinks the Trudeau administration is ignoring its legitimate concerns.
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