“India Suspends Visas for Canadians Amid Diplomatic Dispute”
India has temporarily stopped providing visas to Canadian citizens due to what it calls “security concerns” regarding its diplomats in Canada. This decision comes as tensions between the two countries rise, sparked by Canada’s accusation that India might be involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil.
The company responsible for processing Indian visa applications in Canada, BLS International, informed Indian stock exchanges that visa services for Canadians have been suspended until further notice, effective from September 21, 2023. BLS International had previously posted this information on its website, citing a notice from the Indian mission, but the notice was briefly taken down and then reappeared without an explanation.
India has temporarily halted the issuance of visas and visa services for Canadian citizens due to concerns about incitement of violence and what they perceive as insufficient action by Canadian authorities. This situation has created a disruptive environment for Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, making it difficult for them to function effectively.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry, emphasized that they have always expected host governments, in this case, Canada, to provide security for diplomatic missions.
Prior to this decision, India’s foreign ministry issued a travel advisory urging its citizens in Canada to stay vigilant, citing concerns about “politically condoned hate crimes.”
CNN has sought comments from both India’s foreign ministry and BLS International, the agency handling Indian visa applications in Canada.
Diplomatic spat
The travel advisory from India comes shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned that authorities were looking into “credible allegations” of a possible connection between individuals linked to the Indian government and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh citizen who was killed by masked individuals in June.
India has strongly rejected these allegations, dismissing them as “absurd and driven by ulterior motives.”
India’s foreign ministry has stated that Canada has not provided any specific information to substantiate India’s alleged involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Bagchi, also mentioned that they have shared precise evidence of criminal activities by individuals operating from within Canada with Canadian authorities, but no action has been taken.
As a result of this dispute, both India and Canada have expelled senior diplomats in a reciprocal manner, which could strain relations between these two important partners of the United States.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the creation of a separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan, which would encompass parts of India’s Punjab state.
The Khalistan movement is banned in India and seen as a significant national security threat by the Indian government. Several groups associated with this movement are classified as “terrorist organizations” under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s name is on the Home Ministry’s list of UAPA terrorists. In 2020, India’s National Investigation Agency accused him of attempting to radicalize the Sikh community worldwide in support of creating Khalistan. They also claimed he was encouraging Sikhs to push for secession, protest against the Indian government, and engage in violent activities.
Nijjar was tragically killed in June by two masked assailants in his truck outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. This incident shocked and angered the Sikh community in Canada, which is one of the largest Sikh communities outside India, with over 770,000 members.
Canadian authorities have not made any arrests in connection with Nijjar’s murder. However, in August, they released a statement stating that they were investigating three suspects and shared information about a potential getaway vehicle, seeking assistance from the public in their investigation.
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