Visa issuance in 9 categories including tourist and journalist remain suspended for Canadians: According to the latest update from Ottawa to its travel advisory, Issuing visas in 9 categories for Citizens of Canada to travel to India remains suspended.
On 25 October, India resumed visa services for Canadian citizens in specific categories after a suspension on 21 September due to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Visa Issuance In 9 Categories Including Tourist And Journalist Remain Suspended For Canadians
According to the High Commission of India in Ottawa, visa services will resume for Canadians for entry, medical, business, and conference visas.
The visa categories that have been excluded and suspended include employment, tourist, film, students, missionary, and journalist visas.
A press release issued on Wednesday stated that a decision was made after carefully reviewing the security situation, which considered recent Canadian measures.
The Canadian Government clarified on Saturday that the information on their webpage was obtained from Indian authorities, but it is subject to change at any time.
India’s high commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has confirmed that visa services have been resumed for only four categories, as mentioned in the press release.
The high commission of India, along with the consulates general in Toronto and Vancouver, had temporarily suspended visa services due to safety and security concerns.
Following a review of the security situation that considered recent Canadian measures, it was decided to resume visa services for the four categories.
The release also noted that further decisions would be made based on a continuing evaluation of the situation.
While e-visas remain available for 165 countries, Canadians are currently not on the list. The issuance of e-visas had been suspended after the COVID-19 pandemic but was resumed for Canadians in December last year.
On 21 September, the issuing of visas for Canadians was indefinitely suspended following turmoil in the relationship following the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, said that there were plausible allegations of a possible connection between Indian agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure.
After a recent diplomatic row between India and Canada, both countries expelled one diplomat each in retaliation.
Following this, India ordered 41 Canadian diplomats to leave the country, stating they would lose diplomatic immunity if they remained in station.
Canada referred to this action by India as a “mass expulsion” of its diplomats. At the same time, India argued that it was merely seeking “parity” in the number of diplomats stationed by both countries.
For these reasons, India suspended visa services. However, some of the services are resumed for Canadians, and some of the services remain suspended.
So, it is all about Visa issuance in 9 categories including tourist and journalist remain suspended for Canadians.
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Source:- hindustantimes.com
