India resumes visa services in Canada for select categories

NEW DELHI: Amid simmering diplomatic tensions between the two countries, India on Wednesday resumed visa services in Canada. The development comes days after India said it was looking at resuming visa services for Canadians “very soon”.

The resumption comes over a month after New Delhi suspended Indian visa services in Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential Indian government link in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India had also asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.

The visa services have been resumed for the following categories – Entry visa, Business visa, Medical visa and Conference visa, a statement by the High Commission of India in Ottawa stated.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India invoked diplomatic parity due to concerns over “continuous interference” in its “internal affairs” by Canadian personnel.

While he said the India-Canada relationship is going through “a difficult phase”, Jaishankar added that India is looking at resuming visa services for Canadians “very soon” if it sees progress in the safety of its diplomats in Canada. His comments signal the Indian government’s move to draw the red line on the issue of diplomatic parity, a day after the US and UK backed Canada.

Meanwhile, the Canadian government has announced the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India and halted its visa and consular services in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru consulates. The services are now available only at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi. (IANS)

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