In a significant diplomatic development, India has officially resumed e-visa services for Canadian nationals, marking the end of a nearly two-month suspension. This decision comes in the wake of strained relations sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of a potential Indian link to the killing of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist.
After a hiatus, certain categories of visa services have been reinstated, including entry visas, business visas, medical visas, and conference visas. The move is widely interpreted as a positive step toward de-escalation following India’s call for Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic representation—a response to the diplomatic dispute that had soured relations between the two nations.
The diplomatic rift reached a critical point when Canada announced the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India and the suspension of visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. With this suspension, these services were consolidated and are now exclusively provided at the Canadian High Commission located in Delhi.
This resumption of e-visa services signals a mutual willingness to recalibrate diplomatic ties and foster a more positive relationship. It reflects the importance both nations place on facilitating smooth travel and exchanges between their citizens, promoting not only diplomatic goodwill but also reinforcing the longstanding cultural and economic ties.
As the proverbial doors reopen for Canadians seeking to visit India, there is hope that this diplomatic thaw will extend beyond visa services, paving the way for renewed cooperation and understanding between these two nations. The resumption of e-visa services serves as a beacon of optimism, indicating that dialogue and diplomacy can prevail even in the face of challenges.
