India (Commonwealth Union) _ In the midst of an intensifying diplomatic impasse between the two nations over the death of a Khalistani terrorist, India has temporarily suspended visa services in Canada.
“Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice,” said a notice on the website of the “India Visa Application Center Canada”.
A comprehensive free trade agreement between the two nations has been put on hold as a result of the dispute, which first erupted when Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat over a possible connection between the Indian government and the death of a Khalistani terrorist in Canada in June
India has issued warnings to its citizens living in Canada and those considering traveling there to exercise “utmost caution” in light of growing an adversarial relationship with Canada. The dispute started when Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat over a possible connection between the Indian government and the death of a Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada in June.
Hundreds of immigrants, students, and workers who want to visit Canada each year would be harmed by India’s most recent decision to suspend visa services there until further notice. Canada is reportedly the second most popular choice for Indian students, particularly those from Punjab and Haryana.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) show that 2, 26,450 Indian students arrived in Canada for the first time ever in 2022. As of December 31, 2022, India was among the top 10 source countries for international students.
According to media reports, Canadian public safety minister Dominic Leblanc dismissed the Indian government’s travel warning, which advised Indians planning trips to Canada to exercise “utmost caution” in light of an increase in anti-Indian activities and hate crimes.
The travel advisory from India was issued, as tensions between the two countries escalated after the assassination of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The travel advisory from India was issued yesterday amid deteriorating diplomatic ties between the two countries due to the execution of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June. Since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested a “potential link” between Indian government operatives and the death of Nijjar in June, the situation has gotten worse.
As Trudeau announced some details of the continuing inquiry into the killing of Nijjar, the diplomatic relations between the two countries grew worse. In addition, New Delhi dismissed Canada’s accusation that Nijjar was killed, labeling it “absurd and motivated.” According to the website of the Indian high commission in Ottawa, there are 230,000 Indian students and 700,000 non-resident Indians living in Canada.
The sizable Sikh population, which backs Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada, is at the root of the deterioration in relations between India and Canada. Sikhs demanded a separate nation during the violent Khalistan movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s. When Bhrindanwale sought refuge in the Golden Temple, the Indian Army had to enter the building to expel him. The killing of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards came after Operation Blue Star.
A top Indian diplomat was dismissed from Canada by Canada’s foreign ministry shortly after Trudeau made his assertion. In retaliation for Canada’s capricious conduct, India promptly removed a senior Canadian official and ordered him to leave the country within five days.
Those terrible times are now gone, and Punjab has little support for the desire for Khalistan. However, the concept of Khalistan exists outside of the nation. The vision of a state founded on religion is still promoted by the Sikh diaspora, which is cut off from the realities of Punjab.
