The High Commission of India in Ottawa has reopened visa services for entry, business, medical, and conference purposes, but not for tourists or journalists. This decision comes after considering recent Canadian actions and the security situation. However, the Canadian government warns that the information from India could change at any time.
India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, confirmed the resumption of only four visa categories. The temporary suspension of visa services earlier was due to safety concerns. While e-visas are available for 165 countries, they are not currently accessible for Canadians. The visa suspension started in September due to tensions sparked by comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about possible connections between Indian agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure in British Columbia.
After diplomatic expulsions, India withdrew 41 Canadian diplomats, leading to a dispute over the numbers of diplomats between the two countries. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was fatally shot in a parking lot in Surrey, British Columbia, where he was associated with the Sikhs for Justice group.
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