India is finally set to resume issuing visas to Canadians after weeks of closure. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa said on Wednesday (Oct 25) that visa services would be resumed at the embassy “subject to an assessment of the security situation”.
Last September, New Delhi announced an indefinite suspension of visa services for Canadians amid a diplomatic row. India has cited security threats to the embassy as the reason.
But there was a diplomatic row after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijja in Canada. New Delhi dismissed the allegations as “baseless”.
Indian officials said on Wednesday that some visa issuance would resume after a review of the security situation at the embassy and “in light of recent steps” by Canada. But they did not say what those Canadian steps are.
In a statement, the Indian High Commission said further decisions will be taken based on continuous assessment of the situation.
Visa services for Canadians are expected to resume on Thursday. But for now only entry visa, business, medical and conference visa will be issued by India.
According to information on the website of the Consulate General of India in Toronto, a person of Indian origin and his spouse and children will be eligible for an entry visa. Family members of Indian citizens can also apply for this.
However, the Indian authorities did not say whether they are starting to issue tourist visas to Canadian tourists or not.
