New Delhi, India – India has suspended visa services for Canadian citizens until further notice, amid a diplomatic row between the two countries. The decision was announced on Thursday, September 21, 2023, by BLS International, a private agency that handles visa applications for India.
The suspension of visa services comes after Canada said that it was investigating “credible allegations” that Indian government agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, in British Columbia in June. The Indian government has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.”
In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the suspension of visa services was due to “operational reasons.” However, the ministry did not elaborate on what these reasons were.
The suspension of visa services is a major blow to relations between India and Canada. The two countries have close economic and cultural ties, and thousands of Canadians visit India each year.
The Canadian government has expressed “deep disappointment” at India’s decision to suspend visa services. In a statement, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said that the decision was “unwarranted” and that it would “only serve to further escalate tensions between the two countries.”
The Canadian government has also said that it is “actively working” to resolve the diplomatic row with India. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the two leaders have agreed to keep in touch.
It is unclear how long the suspension of visa services will last. The Indian government has said that it will review the decision once the “operational reasons” that led to it have been resolved.
In the meantime, Canadians who are planning to visit India are advised to contact the Indian High Commission in Ottawa or the nearest Indian Consulate for more information.
