India has decided to do this temporarily cancel visa services to Canadian citizens due to perceived “security concerns” involving diplomatic personnel in Canada. The move represents a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two nations, which began when Ottawa raised suspicions that New Delhi may have played a role in the killing of a Sikh separatist activist within its borders.
BLS Internationalthe entity responsible for processing visa applications for India in Canada formally informed the Indian exchanges through a letter on Thursday that visa services are currently suspended until additional notification is made.
“Due to operational reasons, Indian visa services in Canada are suspended with immediate effect i.e. September 21, 2023 until further notice,” the letter said.
Arindam Bagchi, the ministry’s spokesperson, said: “The issue is the incitement to violence, the inaction of the Canadian authorities, the creation of an environment that distorts the functioning of our high commission and consulates, that is what causes us temporarily stop issuing visas or providing visa services.’;
“We have always believed that it is the responsibility of the host government to provide security,” he told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.
The statement came after India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong travel advisory on Wednesday. insist its citizens in Canada to exercise caution due to concerns about “politically sanctioned acts of hate.”
After the announcement, the Canadian government did just that turned down travel advice on safety issues in Canada, claiming the country is among the safest in the world. Amid the growing diplomatic dispute over the killing of a Khalistani militant on Canadian soil, Canada has also called for a sense of calm.
