Canada calls India’s decision to restore certain visa services “a good sign” and welcomes it

Following “an anxious time” for many Canadians due to a diplomatic spat over the death of a Sikh separatist, Canada has welcomed India’s decision to restore certain visa services in the nation as of Thursday.

India’s high commission in Canada said on Wednesday that certain visa applications from Canadians applying from both domestic and international sources would once again be processed by the nation’s authorities.

The move was made one month after New Delhi had suspended services for Canadian citizens both domestically and internationally. Tensions between the two countries had erupted last month over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims that Indian agents may have had a “potential” role in the June 18 murder of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

In 2020, India classified Nijjar as a terrorist. Trudeau’s accusations have been dismissed by India as “absurd” and “motivated.”

Following “an anxious time” for his many Canadians, Immigration Minister Marc Miller referred to India’s decision as “a good sign” on Wednesday afternoon.

According to CTV News, he said, “Our opinion is that a suspension should never have occurred in the first place.”

“A lot of communities are experiencing fear as a result of the really concerning diplomatic situation with India,” the speaker remarked.

The Sikh minister of emergency preparedness, Harjit Sajjan, said that the return of visa processing is welcome news but refrained from speculating on the message that New Delhi may be attempting to convey.

“It’s encouraging to see that they are doing it again. Sajjan told reporters, “It would have been nice (if) they hadn’t taken it in the first place.”

He said that it is crucial for Indians and Canadians to be able to attend each other’s weddings and funerals.

He continued by saying that as police look into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Ottawa is still looking to India for assistance.

India will once again provide entrance, business, conference, and medical visa services.

The agency in charge of overseeing diplomatic and consular relations in the nation, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), has informed CBC News that it is aware of the Indian government’s intention to “resume certain categories of visa processing for Canadians,” according to Marilyne Guevremont, a spokeswoman for GAC.

“There are significant people-to-people ties between Canada and India, and the resumption of visa services by India will facilitate travel for families and business travelers,” said Guevremont.

The Canada-India Business Council called it “a promising development” for commercial ties in a statement.

Head of the council Victor Thomas commented, “It is also a positive sign that both governments have expressed their support for bilateral business and investments amidst these unusual times.”

The event occurred a few days after Canada withdrew 41 of its ambassadors from India.

Prior to Trudeau’s declaration, which sharply increased tensions between Canada and India, New Delhi had openly condemned Sikh separatist demonstrations outside its Canadian embassies and posters purporting to provide financial incentives in return for Indian diplomats’ residential addresses.

India has demanded that Canada fulfill its obligation to safeguard foreign diplomats more effectively.

Additionally, India has requested that Canada halt Canadian visa services and take strong action against terrorists and anti-Indian groups operating from its territory.