Amidst soaring tensions, India suspends visa services for Canadian citizens

In the midst of heightened tensions between India and Canada, New Delhi has indefinitely suspended visa services for Canadians. Previously, Ottawa had temporarily reduced staff presence in India to ensure the safety of diplomats following social media threats.

Justin Trudeau's accusation of Indian involvement in Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination caused a diplomatic confrontation between the two countries.

BLS International, the organization that operates visa application centers in Canada, issued a note on its Canadian website, however, no public announcement of the suspension of visa services was made. "Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, Indian visa services have been suspended with effect from 21st September 2023 until further notice." read the note. An Indian official acknowledged the ban but refused to divulge any further details. "The language is clear, and it says exactly what it is supposed to say," he said.

The ban came after India issued a warning to its people in Canada on Wednesday, urging them to exercise extreme caution in light of rising anti-India sentiment and “politically-condoned hate crimes.”

On Thursday afternoon, there was a brief period of confusion when the ticker on BLS International's website for the Indian Mission in Canada was temporarily removed. However, the Indian Mission has since reinstated the ticker on their Visa Application page through BLS International.

Nijjar was gunned down in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara he was on his way to in Surrey, British Columbia. He was the leader of the secessionist organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). SFJ has implicated India in the murder.