India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals indefinitely amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
BLS International, which runs the visa application centres in Canada, posted a message on its Canadian website in this regard. “Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice.”
It cited “operational reasons” for halting the visa applications. A Reuters report stated that BLS International has withdrawn the notice about suspension of visa services, however, the ticker was still being reflected on their website at the time of publishing this report.
“A Canadian citizen would not be able to apply for an Indian visa even if he/she is living in any other country,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.
“No visas to Canadians applying from other countries too,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. MEA said that the security threats being faced by officials at the High Commission and consulates have disrupted their functioning, which resulted in a halt of visa services.
This is the first time India has suspended visas since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suspension follows India’s advisory on Wednesday asking its citizens in Canada to “exercise utmost caution” due to growing anti-India activities and “politically-condoned hate crimes”. Indian students have particularly been advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.
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Tensions between the two countries escalated earlier this week when Canada said that it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. Indian government categorically rejected Canada’s suspicions.