India to resume entry, business, medical, conference visa services in Canada
New Delhi had suspended all visa facilities in Canada after allegations by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Several visa categories have now been opened by India.
«After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories with effect from October 26, 2023.
(a) Entry visa, (b) Business visa, ©Medical visa, and (d) Conference visa,» a release by the Indian High Commission in Canada reads.
It added that further decisions on the matter will be conveyed on basis of evaluation of the current situation. India had earlier stopped visa services due to the prevailing security situation in Canada that included threats against diplomats by Khalistani separatists.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the services were stopped as it was no longer safe for Indian diplomats to work on visas due to the security situation. Several threats were received against specific Indian diplomats in Canada, with posters being put out by separatist outfits identifying them.
Indo-Canadian ties have hit a low since allegations that Indian agencies were involved in the killing of the Khalistani separatist.
Last week, 41 diplomats returned to Canada after India asked for Parity in mission strength. Earlier, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat accusing him of involvement in the killing, which was followed by India expelling the head of Canada's external spy agency in New Delhi.
