Toronto, Oct 27: Welcoming India’s decision to resume some visa services in the country from Thursday, Canada said the move was a “good sign” after “an anxious time” for many Canadians, amid a diplomatic row over the killing of a Sikh separatist.“Our feeling is that a suspension should never have happened in the first place,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller was quoted as saying.
India on Wednesday resumed visa services to Canadians for select categories, month after it had suspended the same with the North American country. “After a considered review of the security situation that takes into account some recent Canadian measures in this regard, it has been decided to resume visa services for the following categories with effect from October 26, 2023. (a) Entry visa, (b) Business visa, (c)Medical visa, and (d) Conference visa”, the Indian high commission in Canada posted on X. “Emergency situations will continue to be addressed by the High Commission and the Consulates General as it is being done currently”, the official statement added. On September 21, India had suspended visa services for Canadian nationals amid the heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The tensions arose following Canadian premier Justin Trudeau alleging Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year. It followed tit-for-tar expulsions of diplomats by both the countries further aggravating the tensions. Recently, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had spoken on why India had stopped issuing visas in Canada.