In a surprising turn of events, India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals, exacerbating bilateral tensions between the two countries amid a growing diplomatic crisis. This abrupt decision comes on the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusatory remarks, linking India to the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge that has ignited a fierce standoff between the nations.
Notably, the suspension of visa services was executed without any formal announcement from the Indian government, leaving many bewildered. Instead, it was BLS International, the entity responsible for managing visa application centers in Canada, that conveyed the unexpected news through its Canadian website. The statement read, “Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice.”
While an Indian official acknowledged the suspension, they remained tight-lipped about the details, stating, “The language is clear and it says what it is intended to say.” This marks the first instance of India suspending visa services since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, adding to the intrigue surrounding the decision.
Compounding the mystery, the Indian High Commission’s website became inaccessible late on Wednesday, raising questions about the timing and implications of this move. The suspension announcement closely follows India’s issuance of a cautionary advisory to its citizens residing in Canada, urging them to exercise extreme caution due to the escalating wave of anti-India activities and what it termed as “politically-condoned hate crimes.” Notably, Indian students have been singled out for particular vigilance in this advisory.
