India suspends visas for Canadians as row escalates
The ongoing row between India and Canada has escalated even further after India suspended visa services for Canadian citizens.
The row began over the killing of a Sikh separatist on Canadian soil.
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said Canada was investigating “credible allegations” linking India with the murder. The allegation was met with anger from India, who called it “absurd.”
Visa service provider BLS posted a message from India’s mission blaming “operational reasons” for the decision to suspend visa services for Canadian citizens.
“Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice,” it read.
Analysts have noted that relations between India and Canada are at an all-time low.
The visa move comes a day after India issued an advisory urging its citizens travelling to or living in Canada to exercise utmost caution” in view of the “growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada”.