India-Canada Diplomatic row: Visa issuance in nine categories for Canadians continues to be suspended
India-Canada Diplomatic Row: Visa services for Canadians traveling to India have partially resumed after being suspended since September 21, amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. According to the High Commission of India in Ottawa, the services have resumed for entry, business, medical, and conference visas.
However, the following categories remain suspended: tourist, employment, students, film, missionary, and journalist visas. The decision to resume visa services in specific categories was made following a "considered review of the security situation" that took into account recent Canadian measures in this regard.
_5bc1c02428cb4354e80c6b2f5c7d03b9_1280X720.webp)
India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, confirmed that only four categories of visas have been resumed, as mentioned in the press release. The High Commission, along with the Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, had temporarily suspended visa services due to safety and security concerns.
E-visas, which are available for 165 countries, do not currently include Canada. E-visas for Canadians were only resumed in December of the previous year after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visa issuance was initially suspended on September 21, following diplomatic turmoil triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the House of Commons on September 18. Trudeau suggested "credible allegations" of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.
In response, both countries expelled one diplomat each, and later, 41 Canadian diplomats were withdrawn from India after New Delhi stated that they would lose diplomatic immunity if they remained stationed. Canada described this act as a "mass expulsion" of its diplomats, while India argued it was seeking "parity" in the number of diplomats.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara he headed in Surrey, British Columbia. While India accused Nijjar of being a terrorist, the allegations against him were never tested in a Canadian court, and Canada has not provided evidence of New Delhi's involvement in the killing.
- With inputs from agencies
