Canada Says It’s “A Good Sign” That India Has Decided To Resume Some Visa Services

Amid 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, calling the action a “good sign” after “an anxious time” for many Canadians.

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

The move came 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 of “potential” Indian agent involvement in the June 18 killing 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.

He was cited by CTV News as stating, “Our feeling is that a suspension should never have happened in the first place.”

He said that the “really concerning diplomatic situation with India has created a lot of fear in a lot of communities.”

The Sikh Minister of Emergency Preparedness, Harjit Sajjan, said that the start of visa processing is positive news, but he would not speculatively state what message New Delhi is attempting to convey.

“It’s encouraging to see that they are doing it again. Sajjan told reporters, “It would have been good (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.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is responsible for overseeing the nation’s diplomatic and consular ties. Marilyne Guevremont, a GAC spokesman, said CBC News that GAC is aware of the Indian government’s “decision to resume certain categories of visa processing for Canadians.”

“Canada and India share important people-to-people ties and India’s resumption of visa services will make it easier for families and businesses to travel between our countries,” Guevremont said.

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

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

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

Prior to Trudeau’s statement, which sharply increased tensions between Canada and India, New Delhi had openly condemned Sikh separatist demonstrations outside its Canadian diplomatic missions 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.