Indian authorities have announced the resumption of certain visa processing services in Canada after a month-long suspension. The announcement was made on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday morning. According to the release, officials will restart services for entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas. The announcement clarifies that emergency situations will continue to be handled by the High Commission and the Consulates General, as is the current practice. Future decisions will be communicated as deemed appropriate based on an ongoing evaluation of the situation.
The suspension of visa services in late September was a response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that India may have been involved in the killing of a pro-Khalistan activist in British Columbia. This move caused significant challenges for Indian-born Canadians and their families who were trying to return home, with long queues forming outside Indian visa offices in Ontario.
India vehemently denied the prime minister’s accusation, resulting in heightened diplomatic tensions. Last week, 41 Canadian diplomats departed India after the country announced the removal of diplomatic immunity for individuals listed, effective October 20. In response to this mass exit, Trudeau accused India of violating international law and expressed concerns about the threat to diplomatic immunity.
Harjit Sajjan, the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, spoke to reporters on Wednesday, expressing his satisfaction with the resumption of visa services but expressing a wish that the freeze had never occurred in the first place. Sajjan also mentioned that the federal government has been requesting greater cooperation from India in the investigation into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan activist.
When asked about the ongoing police investigation into Nijjar’s death, Sajjan emphasized the independence of police investigators and expressed confidence in their ability to conduct a thorough and effective inquiry.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller also spoke to reporters, stating that visa services should never have been suspended. He noted that the concerning diplomatic situation with India had created fear within many communities.
Marilyne Guèvremont, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada (GAC), informed CBC News that GAC is aware of the Indian government’s decision to resume specific categories of visa processing for Canadians. The statement emphasized the important people-to-people ties between Canada and India and how the resumption of visa services will facilitate travel for families and businesses between the two countries.
News Source:- https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/india-visa-services-1.7007375
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