India has reinstated electronic visa services for Canadian citizens after a nearly two-month suspension. The interruption in visa services stemmed from an ongoing diplomatic dispute between Ottawa and New Delhi, which initially erupted over the killing of Khalistani sympathizer Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada had alleged the involvement of “agents” of the Indian government in the matter, a charge firmly denied by India.
Previously, visa services for four categories, including Business visas and Medical visas, had resumed, a move that was welcomed by Canada as a positive development.
The relations between the two nations had become strained due to the allegations and subsequent tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, along with the issuance of travel advisories. However, Canada maintained its stance, emphasizing that it did not seek to escalate the situation but rather aimed to engage with India in a “constructive and serious” manner.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his disappointment over India’s request for Canada to withdraw 40 of its diplomats, stating, “We were disappointed when India violated the Vienna Convention and arbitrarily revoked the diplomatic immunity of over 40 Canadian diplomats in India.” Trudeau further mentioned, “We have serious reasons to believe that agents of the government of India could have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil, and India’s response is to kick out a whole bunch of Canadian diplomats by violating their rights under the Vienna Convention.”
However, he also indicated Canada’s commitment to working constructively with India, noting, “But every step of the way, we have tried to work constructively and positively with India, and we will continue to, and that means continuing to work with Indian government diplomats. This is not a fight we want to be having right now, but we will unequivocally always stand up for the rule of law.”
New Delhi has repeatedly urged Ottawa to provide evidence substantiating the allegations made. This call for evidence was reiterated by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, who emphasized that while India did not rule out an investigation, it needed concrete proof.
Jaishankar stated, “If you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence because we are not ruling out an investigation.”
