India reopens its electronic visa services for Canadians
Breaking news from the Indian Foreign Ministry reveals the reinstatement of electronic visa services for Canadian citizens. This decision, disclosed by an unnamed ministry official on Wednesday, comes after a hiatus of two months, following Canada’s allegations against India regarding the involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist within Canadian borders.
As of Wednesday, the electronic visa service is fully operational again, as confirmed by an official speaking to The Associated Press under conditions of anonymity due to the lack of authorization to address the media. Additional sources have corroborated this information to CBC News.
This development potentially serves to alleviate tensions between the two nations, which have recently engaged in mutual accusations and reciprocal expulsion of diplomats. India had previously imposed a visa ban on Canadian nationals amidst the escalating diplomatic discord.
The diplomatic rift deepened following remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September, suggesting “credible allegations” of Indian complicity in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.
The question arises: Could India’s intelligence agency be implicated in a foreign assassination?
Allegations have been made regarding the involvement of India’s government and intelligence apparatus in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. However, doubts linger regarding the plausibility of such claims. CBC’s Adrienne Arsenault delves into the feasibility of these accusations and the potential ramifications if proven true.
Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh activist and plumber, fell victim to masked assailants in June in Surrey, near Vancouver.
India has long asserted Nijjar’s ties to terrorism, despite his Canadian citizenship and birth in India, a claim vehemently denied by Nijjar himself. India swiftly dismissed Canada’s accusations of involvement in his assassination as baseless.
The specter of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has perennially strained bilateral relations between the two nations, notwithstanding their robust defense and trade partnerships.
Previously, India had accused Canada of providing safe haven to separatists and “terrorists.”
These allegations have brought the simmering discord into sharp focus, prompting Canada to recall 41 of its 62 diplomats from India after New Delhi threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity—an action deemed by Canadian officials as a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Last month, India lifted the ban and resumed visa services, including entry, business, medical, and conference visas, for Canadian nationals.