Suspension as a result of Intensified Dispute Over Allegations and Security Concerns
On account of escalating tensions between the two nations, New Delhi has taken the rare step of permanently suspending visa services for Canadian citizens. The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusations that India was involved in the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar led to this decision. The claims have sparked a diplomatic spat, and both countries have retaliated by removing senior officials.
Despite there being no official announcement regarding the suspension of visa services, BLS International, the organization in charge of running Indian visa application centers in Canada, posted a message on its local website in English that read: "Important notice from the Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21st September 2023 [Thursday], Indian visa services have been suspended until further notice."
A representative of India confirmed the suspension but gave no additional information, stating that "the language is clear and it says what it is intended to say." Notably, this is the first suspension of visa services by India since the Covid-19 outbreak began.
As hostilities grew more intense, India on Wednesday issued a warning advising its residents in Canada to use great caution in light of rising anti-Indian activities and "politically-condoned hate crimes." Students from India in particular were urged to exercise caution.
In the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, which he oversaw in Surrey, British Columbia, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed. He was a well-known individual connected to the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in the province. India is charged by SFJ with planning Nijjar's murder.
The Canadian foreign ministry disclosed that some ambassadors had received threats on social media sites in response to security worries. They made the decision to temporarily alter their staff presence in India in order to prioritize the security of their diplomatic workers. Around Canadian missions, such as the high commission in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru, additional security measures have been sought.
India is expected to provide protection for its accredited diplomats and consular staff, just as Canada does for Indian diplomats in Canada, according to Canada, which stressed the significance of the Vienna Convention in protecting diplomats and diplomatic facilities.
Parallel to this, India has increased security at its consulates in Canada in response to SFJ's publication of provocative posters that included the phrase "Kill India." Additionally, SFJ has expressed a desire to "shut down Indian missions" on September 25 by designating them as "terror houses." The group has targeted Hindus of Indian descent in Canada and pushed them to leave, accusing them of supporting their country of origin and encouraging violence by honoring Nijjar's death. The group was banned in India in 2019 owing to its pro-Khalistan actions.
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