India resumes visa services in Canada for select categories

India on Wednesday resumed visa services to Canadians for select categories, month after it had suspended following tensions with the North American country.

“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.

“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.

On September 21, India had suspended visa services for Canadian nationals amid the heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The tensions arose following Canadian premier Justin Trudeau alleging Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year. It followed tit-for-tar expulsions of diplomats by both the countries further aggravating the tensions.

Recently, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had spoken on why India had stopped issuing visas in Canada. Stating that the relationship between thwe two countries was going through a ‘difficult phase’, the minister had said,”Some weeks ago, we stopped issuing visas in Canada because it was no longer safe for our diplomats to go to work to issue visas. So their safety and security was the primary reason we had to temporarily stop the issue of visas”.

Jaishankar had also said India is looking at resuming visa services for Canadians “very soon” if it sees progress in the safety of its diplomats in Canada.