A member of the Indian Parliament from Punjab has urged the government to resume visa services for Indian-origin Canadians who do not have Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
Vikramjit Singh Sahney said he receives many requests from the Indian diaspora, especially Punjabis, who are unable to get Indian visas for family emergencies. He said that almost every other household in Punjab has family members residing in Canada.
Sahney said that denying visas to individuals of Indian origin in Canada would create significant hardships for them. He suggested that the government could consider granting e-visas in cases where there is a shortage of staff at Indian missions.
India had suspended visa services in Canada in September amidst an escalating diplomatic row over the assassination of a Khalistani separatist in Canada.
Visa services, Indian-Origin Canadians, Visa resumption, Canadian visa services, Indian-Canadian diaspora