India Temporarily Halts Visa Services for Canada Amid Diplomatic Spat

India decided to temporarily halt all visa services for Canada on Thursday due to security concerns at the missions. In addition, India requested that the Canadian high commission here scale back its diplomatic representation in light of suspected intervention in domestic affairs.

Security concerns at the embassies and the fact that there are disproportionately more Canadian diplomats in India than there are in Canada are not brand-new problems. However, the Indian government's involvement in the death of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June has been accused by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, leading the external affairs ministry to decide to take action.

At a news conference on Thursday outside of the UN General Assembly meeting, Trudeau reiterated what he stated in the House of Commons on Nijjar and asked India to cooperate with Canada to seek accountability.

The Canadian high commission in New Delhi had already announced that, out of an abundance of caution, it had chosen to temporarily alter its presence in India. There was no indication of India requesting that the diplomatic presence be reduced.

Every year, around 1.2 lakh Indians immigrate to Canada as permanent residents, according to Canadavisa, the online newsletter of a Montreal-based immigration law business. Over 3.5 lakh international visitors from Canada were estimated to have visited India in 2019, but the number has decreased since COVID-19.

According to ABC News, the 89,500 Indian visitors who visited Canada in 2021 spent the most per person—$3.4 billion—of any group. In the same year, Canadian tourists to India spent $93 million.

The spokesperson for the external affairs ministry, Arindam Bagchi, attempted to lay the blame for Canadian citizens' inability to obtain an Indian visa beginning on Thursday on their government's inaction regarding security threats surrounding Indian missions, which has created a "environment that disrupts the functioning of our high commission and consulates" on Thursday at the weekly media conference in New Delhi. He was alluding to the regular demonstrations held by Khalistani separatists in front of the missions.

"You are aware of the security risks our high commission and consulates in Canada are currently facing. They can no longer operate normally because of this. As a result, processing visa requests at our high commission and consulates is now not possible. Regular reviews of the situation will be conducted. Additionally suspended, and this time it covers all categories, is e-visa. Travel to India is not the problem. You are free to visit India if you have a valid visa and/or appropriate documentation, such as an OCI. Third-country applications from Canadian nationals will also be impacted, according to Bagchi.

Bagchi commented on the decrease in the number of Canadian diplomats stationed in India by saying, "We have advised the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalency in bilateral diplomatic presence. They are far more numerous than we are in Canada. Although the specifics are still being worked out, I predict that the Canadian side will suffer.

In response to the justification for this choice, he stated: "We have witnessed Canadian diplomatic meddling in our internal matters. The pursuit of strength parity and rank equivalence has taken this into consideration.

Bagchi refuted Canada's claim that information has been shared with India, though he did not react to the topic of whether India will participate in the investigation into Nijjar's murder being carried out by Canadian police. "Canada has not disclosed any specific information in this matter, either at the time or since. We are prepared to consider any specific data. The Canadian side has been informed of this, and we have made it clear to them that we are ready to review any specific information that is given to us, but as of yet, we have not gotten any such specific information.

"From our side, very specific evidence about criminal activities by individuals based in Canada has been shared with the Canadian authorities on a regular basis, but it has not been followed up on," Bagchi continued.

He emphasized that India has asked Canada for extradition or information on nearly 25 people who are wanted here over a long period of time but has not received a response, attempting to demonstrate how Ottawa has blocked New Delhi in regards to Khalistani separatists in particular.

Bagchi, who believes that Trudeau's accusations are "primarily politically motivated," didn't appear to be concerned about how they may affect India's standing. He claimed that Canada should be concerned about its reputation abroad because it is "becoming known as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organized crime."

Canada has stated that it supports every citizen's freedom of speech when it comes to promoting political issues. According to Indian officials, lawmakers in Canada, which has the largest concentration of Sikhs outside of India, are reluctant to rein in Sikh extremism because of their influence in lobbying efforts.

a new murder

Regarding the Wednesday slaying of gangster Sukhdool Singh Gill in Winnipeg, Canada, Bagchi argued that this is what occurs when organized crime is given safe havens. Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster, has admitted to carrying out the murder. In Punjab, Gill was wanted for murder and extortion.