Visas for travel to India suspended for Canadians
India has suspended their visa services for Canadians amid ongoing allegations over the murder of a Sikh Canadian. BLS International, the visa service provider, has provided “operational reasons” as the explanation for the halting of the service from today until further notice, but analysts are describing the relations between the two countries as being at an all time low. The Indian government has not commented on the announcement.
This comes following increasing tensions over the death of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil in June this year. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that Canadian intelligence were investigating whether “agents of the government of India” were involved in the murder of Nijjar, who was labelled as a terrorist by India three years ago. The Indian government has denied the allegations, labelling it as “absurd” to suggest that they had a role in the death of the man.
The statement on the BLS International site reads:
Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice.
Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar?
Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in his vehicle outside of a Sikh temple on June 18th 2023 in Surrey, Vancouver. The suburb is known for having a large Sikh population. Designated as a terrorist by India in 2020, he supported the demands for a Sikh homeland in Punjab, which is known as the birthplace of the Sikh religion and borders Pakistan.
The dispute between India and Canada has not only impacted the visa services, but also diplomats in each country. Canada has ejected an Indian diplomat that was identified by Canadian intelligence as being at the head of the intelligence wing of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. India has also ordered a high-ranking Canadian diplomat to leave India as a result of the increasing tensions. India also put out an advisory to their citizens that are travelling to or living in Canada to “exercise caution” following the “growing anti-India activities” in the country.
It is currently unknown if things will ever return to how they were between the two previous allies.
Sources:
BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-66851964
ALJAZEERA: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/9/21/canada-india-tensions-live-updates-visa-services-for-canadians-suspended
