It seems like India-Canada diplomatic tensions have been easing out. New Delhi on Wednesday reportedly resumed electronic visa services for Canadian nationals after a nearly two-month pause. India's External Affairs Ministry suspended visa services on September 21 amid the ongoing diplomatic row over Canada's claims that "agents of the Indian government" were involved in the June killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, in that country.
The suspension was a reaction to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's declaration of a likely connection between the Indian government and the killing of Khalistan rebel Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During this period, India likewise mentioned Ottawa to decrease its discretionary presence in the country.
However, the resumption of visa services applies to specific categories, including Entry visas, Business visas, Medical visas, and Conference visas, according to a statement released by the High Commission of India in Ottawa.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India stopped treating Canada the same way because they were getting too involved in India's business. He recognized that right now, the friendship between India and Canada is facing some difficulties. However, he suggested that if things get better and Indian diplomats are safe in Canada, India might start helping Canadians with visas again very soon.
The move by India to restart visa administrations is viewed as an essential reaction to worries raised by Canadian authorities in regard to India's internal issues. The decision indicates India's commitment to maintaining diplomatic ties while asserting its boundaries on matters of interference.
Conversely, the US and the UK communicated help for Canada, conforming to the country in the midst of the conciliatory debate. The remarks made by Jaishankar highlight India's determination to define an unmistakable boundary on the issue of strategic equality.
As a countermeasure, the Canadian government has announced the withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India and the suspension of visa and consular services in consulates located in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Presently, these services are available solely at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi.
The recent flare-up in tensions between India and Canada stemmed from Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations regarding the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. Despite India designating Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020, it vehemently rejected the allegations, deeming them "absurd" and "motivated."
The restart of visa services suggests a possibility of improving relations between India and Canada, as both countries navigate through a sensitive diplomatic scenario, seeking a more amicable path forward.