THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Nov 22: India has opted to restart e-visa services for Canadians after a two-month suspension, according to sources, indicating a potential reduction in diplomatic tensions.
This comes after the Indian government decided last month to reinstate some categories of visa services for Canadian nationals following a one-month restriction. The decision was hailed by Ottawa as “good news for Canadians.”
Following a severe decline brought on by Canada’s accusations that India was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil earlier this year, the decision to reinstate e-visa services is an important step towards improving relations between the two nations.
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Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, by unknown assailants in June, sparking a diplomatic dispute. Subsequently, based on intelligence sources, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed in Parliament that there were “credible” connections between the killing of Nijjar and agents of the Indian government. Despite receiving support from US intelligence for these assertions, no public evidence has been presented to support them.
India has refuted any involvement, labeling the accusations as “absurd” and politically driven.
In reaction to Canada’s actions, India implemented various retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of intelligence officers, reduction of diplomatic personnel, and the issuance of travel advisories. A noteworthy step was the suspension of visa services for Canadian citizens in September, widely perceived as a direct response to Canada’s allegations.
The relaxation of visa restrictions suggests a potential improvement in relations, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar previously expressing India’s readiness to ease these measures. However, he also acknowledged that the ties between the two countries were currently undergoing a “difficult phase.”
