External Affairs: India Restores Visa Services in Canada for Specified Categories Amid Diplomatic Tensions

In the midst of escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, visa services have been reinstated by India in Canada, a move that follows India's announcement of its intention to resume visa services for Canadians "very soon." This resumption occurred after India had suspended its visa services in Canada over a month ago, prompted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim of a possible link between the Indian government and the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had also requested Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.

According to a statement from the High Commission of India in Ottawa, the visa services that have been reinstated include Entry visas, Business visas, Medical visas, and Conference visas.

The latest Press Release on resumption of visa service may be seen here. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @PIB_India @DDNewslive @ANI @WIONews @TOIIndiaNews @htTweets @cgivancouver @IndiainToronto pic.twitter.com/iwKIgF2qin
— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) October 25, 2023

Earlier, India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, expressed concerns about "continuous interference" in India's "internal affairs" by Canadian personnel. He indicated that India's decision to invoke diplomatic parity was a response to these concerns. Jaishankar acknowledged the challenging phase in the India-Canada relationship but stated that India would consider resuming visa services for Canadians in the near future if there was progress in ensuring the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada. This statement underscored India's firm stance on the issue of diplomatic parity, especially in light of the backing provided to Canada by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Canada has recalled 41 diplomats from India in response to a warning from Delhi regarding diplomatic immunity amidst the Hardeep Nijjar row

In response, the Canadian government withdrew 41 diplomats from India and suspended visa and consular services in its consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Presently, these services are available exclusively at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.

The recent escalation in tensions between India and Canada stemmed from Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations regarding the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. Notably, India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and motivated.