India Suspends Visa Services For Canadian Nationals
India has suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens “till further notice”. BLS International, which manages online visa application centers in Canada, stated that Indian visa services have been suspended due to operational reasons. This suspension comes amid a dispute between India and Canada over Ottawa’s claim of “credible allegations” connecting agents of New Delhi to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan Sikh terrorist. India has dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”.
It is currently unclear whether the suspension of visas is directly linked to this dispute.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged a “potential link” between “agents of the Government of India” and the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat from Canada. In response, India expelled the Canadian Commissioner. Both countries have issued travel advisories urging their citizens to exercise caution while traveling.
“Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. It is contrary to the fundamental rules by which free, open, and democratic societies conduct themselves,” Mr Trudeau told his government.
The Indian government “completely rejected” the Canadian PM”s allegations and stressed its concerns over their (Canada”s) political figures openly expressing sympathy for “such elements”.
“Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India”s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern,” said a foreign ministry statement.
In a separate incident, gangster Sukhdool Singh, who was also a pro-Khalistan activist, was shot dead in Winnipeg, Canada, during an inter-gang rivalry. Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the killing of Sukha Duneke.
Sukhdool Singh had fled to Canada from Punjab in 2017 and was shot by unknown assailants in Winnipeg. According to sources in the Punjab Police, Singh had joined pro-Khalistan forces. This is a developing story, and more information is awaited.
