India suspends visa providers in Canada “until further notice”

India has suspended visa providers for Canadian nationals as diplomatic ties proceed to deteriorate between the 2 international locations. This comes within the backdrop of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleging Indian govt’s hand behind the homicide of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

No formal announcement of the suspension of visa providers has been made. However, BLS International, which runs visa utility centres for India in Canada and plenty of different international locations, posted a message on its Canadian web site which learn, “Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates.”

Screenshot of BLS International web site notifying in regards to the Indian Mission’s discover to droop visa providers to Canadians until additional discover

BLS International is an Indian firm that gives outsourcing providers for diplomatic missions worldwide. The firm supplies visa, passport, consular, and citizen providers.

The web site of the High Commission of India in Ottawa has no replace on the suspension of visa providers, and the web site of the Consulate General of India in Toronto gave the impression to be down.

An Indian official reportedly confirmed the suspension however didn’t remark additional. “The language is clear and it says what it is intended to say,” as per Hindustan Times.

On 20 September, the Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory to its residents in Canada urging them to train warning citing the surge in anti-India actions and politically-endorsed hate crimes.

Meanwhile, safety has been heightened at India’s missions in Canada for senior diplomats after Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Pannun issued threats to Canadian Hindus asking them to depart Canada.

In a video titled “Leave Canada, Indo-Hindus, Go To India”, Pannu stated, “Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated the allegiance to Canada and the Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India.”

India has sought further safety on the embassy in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver after the menace issued by SFJ.

Amid such blatant threats and the free cross to the Khalistani parts, it’s a should that Indian High Commissions, diplomats, their employees, and residents get safety by the Canadian authorities.

Canada too has sought further safety round its excessive fee in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru saying that they “expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we are for theirs here.”