India resumes select visa services in Canada, easing diplomatic tensions

High Commission of Canada in India in New Delhi/PTI

After more than a month of suspension due to a diplomatic dispute related to the killing of a Sikh separatist, India announced on Wednesday that it will resume some visa services in Canada, effective from Thursday, according to agency reports.

The decision to reinstate visa services, which includes entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas, from October 26, 2023, was made after a thorough assessment of the security situation, taking into account recent measures taken by the Canadian authorities, according to a press release posted by the High Commission of India in Ottawa on its social media platforms.

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This move is seen as a significant step toward easing tensions between the two nations, following a period of heightened diplomatic discord.

The report further stated that the High Commission of India in Ottawa, along with its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, had temporarily suspended visa services due to safety and security concerns. The release emphasized that emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the High Commission and Consulates General, as is currently being done. Further decisions will be communicated as the situation evolves and is continuously evaluated.

This development follows a statement by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday, in which he expressed India's readiness to resume visa services for Canadians "very soon" if there are positive indications regarding the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada. The temporary halt to visa services had been prompted by India's apprehension about the safety and security of its diplomatic personnel in Canada and Ottawa's inability to ensure a secure environment for Indian officials, which was considered to be in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the report further states.

Jaishankar's remarks came shortly after Canada withdrew 41 of its diplomats from India, a move that heightened tensions between the two nations. The dispute had arisen following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 18. Notably, India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India vehemently rejected Trudeau's allegations, describing them as "absurd" and "motivated." Subsequently, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and requested that Ottawa reduce its diplomatic presence in India. India also called on Canada to take strong measures against terrorists and anti-India elements operating from its territory and suspended visa services for Canadian citizens.