Stand-off escalates
\nIndia suspends Canadian visa services as tensions escalate over Sikh leader\u2019s murder allegations
\nNEW DELHI
\nIndia on Thursday suspended visa services for Canadian citizens, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, citing security threats to its staff in its consulates in Canada.
\nThe announcement came hours after Canada\u2019s high commission in India said it would temporarily \u201cadjust\u201d staff presence in the country after some diplomats received threats on social media platforms.
\nThe steps mark further escalation of tensions between the two countries set off by Canada\u2019s announcement that it was \u201cactively pursuing credible allegations\u201d linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in June.
\n\u201cThe security situation because of Canadian government\u2019s inaction has resulted in disruptions and we have suspended visa applications,\u201d Arindam Bagchi, told reporters in New Delhi, adding that all categories of visas, including e-visas are suspended.
\nBLS International(BLSN.NS), an Indian company offering visa facilities, said the notice from the Indian mission in Canada cited \u201coperational reasons\u201d for suspension of visa services \u201ctill further notice\u201d.
\nPrime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s government categorically denied any links to the alleged murder.
\nWith both nations expelling a diplomat each, analysts said relations between the two countries have touched the lowest point.
\n\u201cIn light of the current environment where tensions have heightened, we are taking action to ensure the safety of our diplomats,\u201d the Canadian high commission said in a statement.
\n\u201cWith some diplomats having received threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is assessing its staff complement in India,\u201d it said, referring to the department which manages Ottawa\u2019s diplomatic and consular relations.
\n\u201cAs a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust staff presence in India,\u201d it said, without elaborating on what it meant by that adjustment.
\nAfter the expulsions of senior diplomats, the two countries issued tit-for-tat travel advisories on Tuesday and Wednesday, with India urging its nationals in Canada, especially students, to exercise \u201cutmost caution\u201d.
\nThreat to trade ties
\nThe tensions flared up on Monday after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa was investigating \u201ccredible allegations\u201d about the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
\nCanadian officials have so far declined to say why they believe India could be linked to Nijjar\u2019s murder.
\nNew Delhi has also not provided evidence leading to its travel advisory that refers to \u201cgrowing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada\u201d.
\nCanada is a safe country, its public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc said hours after India\u2019s advisory.
\nCanada has the largest population of Sikhs outside the Indian state of Punjab, with about 770,000 people reporting Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census.
\nThe spat is also threatening trade ties, with talks on a proposed trade deal frozen last week.
\nCanada is India\u2019s 17th largest foreign investor, while Canadian portfolio investors have invested billions of dollars in Indian financial markets.
\nSince 2018, India has been the largest source country for international students in Canada.
\nIn 2022, their number rose 47% to nearly 320,000, accounting for about 40% of total overseas students, the Canadian Bureau of International Education says, which also helps universities and colleges provide a subsidised education to domestic students.
\nIndustry estimates show the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India could boost two-way trade by as much as $6.5 billion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Stand-off escalates India suspends Canadian visa services as tensions escalate over Sikh leader\u2019s murder allegations NEW DELHI India on Thursday suspended visa services for Canadian citizens, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, citing security threats to its staff in its consulates in Canada. The announcement came hours after Canada\u2019s high commission in India said it would […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":357437,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-357419","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n