India has proceeded electronic visa services for Canadian citizens after a nearly two-month pause, sources told NDTV on Wednesday. Visa services had been suspended on September 21 amid the ongoing politic row over Canada’s claims that” agents of the Indian government” were involved in the June payoff of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in that country.
This means that all visa services have now proceeded , including sightseer visas. Services for four, including business and medical visas, had proceeded last month.
In September, India had suspended issue of visas to Canadian citizens” till farther notice”.
This was after the two countries traded politic brickbats, including expelling a elderly diplomat each and India forcing” equality” in the number of elderly officers deputized to operations in each country.
The two nations also changed trip advisories; India advised its citizens in Canada, and those meaning travelling, to exercise” utmost caution” in view of” politically- blinked ” hate crimes.
The Indian government has constantly and forcefully denied “absurd” and “motivated” allegations that it was involved in the death of Nijjar, and has demanded Ottawa share substantiation to back its claims.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s demand last week; at an event in the United Kingdom, which has been pushing India to co-operate with Canada’s inquiry, Mr Jaishankar said,” We aren’t ruling out an disquisition. (but) if you (the Canadian government) have a reason to make such an allegation, please partake the substantiation with us. We’ll look at anything you have to offer.”
