Canadian Travellers and Former Indian Citizens Scramble Amid Visa Suspension in Escalating Diplomatic Dispute
In the wake of an escalating diplomatic dispute, Canadian tourists, business travellers, and some former Indian citizens find themselves in a rush to rearrange their travel plans and seek answers regarding their trip deposits. This flurry of activity ensued following India’s abrupt suspension of visa applications within the country.
The tension escalated when the Indian government issued a warning to its citizens residing in Canada, urging them to “exercise utmost caution” and suggesting potential threats to their safety. Subsequently, BLS International, an agency responsible for processing visa requests in Canada, posted an online notice announcing the suspension of its services, adding that they would remain halted until further notice.
Canada-India Relations Reach Unprecedented Low Amid Accusations and Travel Restrictions
Canada and India find themselves in the midst of one of their most strained periods in decades, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau levelling allegations against the Indian government regarding the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian activist advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in the Punjab region.
India vehemently refuted the accusation, deeming it “absurd,” and retaliated by imposing measures designed to restrict travel between the two nations. Consequently, this move effectively limits the ability of most Canadians to visit India unless they possess pre-existing visas. Additionally, travel agents noted that e-visa applications online for Canadians were not being processed.
Moreover, many Canadians of Indian origin who previously held Indian passports do not possess Overseas Citizen of India cards, which allow for visa-free entry. These developments underscore the severity of the diplomatic tension currently engulfing Canada and India.
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