Indian foreign ministry claims ‘security threats’ after Trudeau’s explosive allegation of state-sponsored killing mean it cannot provide visa services safely
India says it is indefinitely suspending visa services in all categories for all Canadian nationals due to “security threats” to its consulates, amid a furious diplomatic row between the two countries.
Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said they have suspended “all categories” of visas, including e-visas and for Canadian citizens applying from third countries.
And India has also moved to downsize the Canadian diplomatic presence in New Delhi, saying that Canada has more embassy workers in its capital than visa versa and that it wants to restore “parity”.
It comes after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said there were “credible allegations” of the Indian state’s involvement in the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, triggering a furious tit-for-tat row.
Given that Canada and the US are close allies, it seems bizarre that Modi would risk a diplomatic feud in North America, when India often tops the tables in terms of visa sponsorship in many western countries.
It’s horrible that I need to say this, but I have nothing against immigration, and frankly, I think it should be more commonplace between countries - but risking these ties could result in actions being taken against the thousands of people that build a career around emigrating to other countries in the West.