India announced on Wednesday that it will reinstate several visa services in Canada starting from Thursday. This decision comes after a comprehensive evaluation of the security situation, taking into account recent Canadian measures. The High Commission of India in Ottawa conveyed in a press release via its social media channels that entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas will be available again effective from October 26, 2023.
This move is viewed as a pivotal step towards de-escalating tensions between the two nations. The release further explained that the suspension of visa services by the High Commission of India in Ottawa and its Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver was necessitated due to safety and security concerns. It clarified that emergency situations will continue to be handled by the High Commission and Consulates General, as is presently the practice. Any additional decisions will be communicated based on the ongoing assessment of the situation.
After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories with effect from October 26, 2023. (a) Entry visa, (b) Business visa, (c)Medical visa, and (d) Conference visa”, the Indian high commission in Canada posted on X.
This development closely follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement on Sunday, where he indicated that India was contemplating the swift resumption of visa services for Canadians, contingent upon an improvement in the safety of its diplomats in Canada. Jaishankar emphasized that the primary reason for the temporary halt in visa services a few weeks ago was rooted in apprehensions over the safety and security of Indian diplomats in Canada.
He pointed out that Ottawa’s inability to ensure a secure environment for Indian officials raised significant concerns regarding the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This statement came shortly after Canada withdrew 41 of its diplomats from India.
Emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the High Commission and the Consulates General as it is being done currently”, the official statement added.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated last month following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s sensational claims of potential involvement by Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had previously classified Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India swiftly dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as baseless and driven by ulterior motives.
Subsequently, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and urged Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India. Additionally, India called for stringent action against terrorists and anti-India elements operating from Canadian soil.