Revival of India-Canada Diplomatic Ties: Visas for Canadian Citizens Reinstated!

visamintdigital Oct 30, 2023 03:09 421 0

In a resolute move, the Indian government has reignited the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens across several critical categories. Effective October 26, 2023, the Indian High Commission in Canada has commenced processing visas for entry, business, medical, and conference purposes. Tourist and e-visa services for Canadians remain suspended.

This bold step marks a decisive turn in the India-Canada diplomatic narrative. Previously strained due to the escalating Khalistani movement in Canada, India had temporarily suspended all visa processing for Canadian nationals. Even attempts to apply through third countries were met with impassable barriers.

The pivotal event triggering this diplomatic shift was the tragic assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan leader holding Canadian citizenship. Nijjar, an immigrant Sikh militant, met his untimely demise on June 18, 2023, in British Columbia, Canada. The primary source of contention between the nations revolved around mounting concerns over terrorism proliferation. India persistently implored the Canadian government to act against pro-Khalistani factions, furnishing them with a list of Khalistani terrorists, a list that had been shared numerous times in the past.

The suspension of visa processing was a direct response to the threats faced by Indian diplomats in Canada, stemming from Khalistani gangs. Simultaneously, India called upon the Canadian government to trim its stationed personnel in India, citing suspicions of anti-India activities amongst Canadian diplomats.

In the wake of Nijjar's assassination, Canada asserted that their intelligence agencies had verified information implicating Indian officials in the killing. This revelation further intensified tensions, rendering Canada an unsafe working environment for Indian diplomats and compelling the decision to halt visa processing from India's end.

This resurgence in visa issuance signals a pivotal moment in recalibrating the diplomatic equilibrium between India and Canada, propelling them towards renewed cooperation and understanding.