New Delhi: Recently sources told NDTV that India has restarted electronic visa services for Canadian nationals after about two-month of pause. Visa services was suspended on the 21st of September amid the ongoing diplomatic row over Canada’s claims that agents of the Indian government were involved in the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was a Canadian citizen, in that country.
This means that all visa services including tourist visas have now resumed. Last month, Services for four including business and medical visas had resumed.
In September, India had suspended issue of visas to Canadian citizens until further notice.
This was after the two nations traded diplomatic barbs, including expelling a senior diplomat and India forcing parity in the number of senior officials deputed to missions in each country.
The two countries also exchanged travel advisories, In Canada India advised its citizens and those contemplating travelling, toexercise “utmost caution” in view of “politically-condoned” hate crimes.
The Indian government has firmly denied “absurd” and “motivated” allegations which was involved in the death of Nijjar, and has asked Ottawa to share evidence to back its claims.
Last week External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s demand, at an event in the United Kingdom, which has been pushing India to co-operate with Canada’s inquiry, Mr. Jaishankar said, “We are not presiding with an investigation but if the Canadian government have a cause to make such an allegation, then please share the evidence with us. We will look at anything which you have to offer.
India-Canada ties have taken a big hit since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s big claim – that his government has credible allegations which is connected to the Indian government agents regarding to Nijjar’s killing.
The two nations have also paused talks on a long-pending trade deal.
Talks on that was on hold since September and may remain on ice as Canada is focused on this case, that country’s Trade Minister, Mary Ng, suggested. Canada asked for the “pause” before Mr. Trudeau’s claim.
In June outside a gurudwara in Canada’s Vancouver, Hardeep Singe Nijjar was shot dead at the age of 45. In 2020 the Indian government had formally designated Nijjar as a terrorist.
