In a recent move amid rising diplomatic tensions, India has stopped providing visa services in Canada.
Until further notice
It claimed that owing to “operational considerations” related to the diplomatic dispute, it has temporarily ceased providing visa services to Canada citizens.
It published the notification on the Indian High Commission in Canada’s website for visa services.
Indian nationals living in Canada were forewarned the day before of “anti-India actions” and “politically-condoned hate crimes.”
How it began?
A “possible link,” according to Justin Trudeau, between the execution of Khalistan rebel Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada earlier this year and “agents of the Government of India.”
Indian citizens and students studying in Canada were also urged by the ministry to register with the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, the Indian Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver, either through those locations’ websites or the MADAD portal at madad.gov.in.
The continuous hostilities between the two nations were brought on by this.
India responds
In response, India called these allegations “absurd” and “motivated.”
Tuesday, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation for India’s expulsion of a top Indian diplomat from Canada.
Travel advisory for Indians in Canada
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) warned all Indian citizens in Canada and those planning to visit there on Wednesday to “exercise extreme caution and remain watchful” in light of the country’s “increasing anti-Indian actions” as well as “politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence.”
“Recent threats have targeted Indian diplomats in particular, as well as groups of Indians who oppose the anti-India agenda… Thus, it is cautioned against Indian nationals visiting areas and possible locations in Canada that have seen such events, the statement read.
Working with Canadian authorities
To guarantee the security and welfare of the Indian community in Canada, the Indian High Commission and Consulates General would keep in touch with the relevant authorities in Canada.