India suspends visa services in Canada
NEW DELHI : India temporarily suspended visa services in Canada, citing heightened security threats to its missions, while also directing Ottawa to cut its diplomatic strength in India, marking an escalation in tensions. New Delhi alleged a lack of action by Canadian authorities to deal with the threats. “You are aware of the security threats being faced by our High Commission and consulates in Canada.
This has disrupted their functioning. Accordingly, our High Commission and consulates are temporarily unable to process visa applications. We will be reviewing the situation on a regular basis," said Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the external affairs ministry.
The news surfaced after BLS International, a visa processing firm, carried a notice from the Indian mission in Canada stating visa operations had been suspended till further notice. Pro-Khalistan groups like Sikhs for Justice called for a shutdown of India’s diplomatic missions in Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged an Indian role in the killing of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June. “We will not allow the Indian consulates to function, and we’re going to push the Canadian government to name the individuals who are responsible for assassinating and giving the orders to hit Nijjar," Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a prominent pro-Khalistan activist, was cited as telling Canada’s Global News.
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