Ottawa: India has suspended its visa services in Canada till further notice for Canadian citizens intending to travel to India. This was informed by the BLS Visa Application Centre, the application centre for Indian visas in Canada.
“Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking the BLS website for further updates,” informed the website referring to an important notice from the Indian mission.
This development came after New Delhi issued an advisory to Indian nationals in Canada, including students, to exercise utmost caution while travelling inside the country.
“In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda,” the advisory warned.
Ties between India and Canada started souring once Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a parliament address, alleged possible Indian links with the assassination of Sikh separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen. It subsequently expelled a senior Indian diplomat.
India, which strongly denied the allegation, and in retaliation expelled a Canadian diplomat and accused Canada of harboring terrorists and Khalistan supporters. The Canadian government had meanwhile rejected India’s advisory and said Canada is a safe country.
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