Visa row: Canada applauds India's move to restart visa services, says a positive development
Toronto, October 26: Canada has warmly welcomed India's move to resume certain visa services within the country, considering it a positive development following what was described as an 'anxious time' for many Canadians amid a diplomatic dispute related to the killing of a Sikh separatist.
India's High Commission in Canada announced on Wednesday that Indian officials would restart the processing of specific visa applications for Canadians, whether they were applying from within the country or abroad.
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This decision came one month after New Delhi had suspended visa services in Canada and for Canadian citizens globally. The suspension had taken place as tensions flared between the two nations, triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertions of potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Sikh preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
Notably, India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020, and it had vehemently rejected Trudeau's allegations, deeming them 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Immigration Minister Marc Miller referred to India's resumption of visa services as "a good sign," emphasising that it came after "an anxious time" for numerous Canadians. He also expressed the view that the suspension should never have occurred in the first place.
Miller stated, "Our feeling is that a suspension should never have happened in the first place." He further noted that the tense diplomatic situation with India had generated significant concerns in various communities.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan, who is of Sikh descent, acknowledged the positive news regarding visa processing but refrained from speculating on the message New Delhi intended to convey. He mentioned the importance of enabling Indians and Canadians to travel back and forth, particularly for events like weddings and funerals. Sajjan also highlighted that Ottawa continues to seek India's cooperation as Canadian authorities investigate Nijjar's killing.
India will restart services for entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas. Marilyne Guevremont, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada (GAC), stated that the department is aware of India's decision to resume certain categories of visa processing for Canadians. She underlined the significance of people-to-people ties between Canada and India and how the resumption of visa services will facilitate travel for families and businesses between the two nations.
The Canada-India Business Council issued a statement regarding this development, terming it a promising step for trade relations and expressing positivity about the support shown by both governments for bilateral business and investments during these unusual times. This development followed Canada's decision to withdraw 41 of its diplomats from India just a few days ago.
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- With inputs from agencies
